Petron hopes Sims is finally 'The One'

MANILA, Philippines -- Petron Blaze Boosters hope to get a permanent replacement for the banned Renaldo Balkman when Henry Sims arrives tomorrow. 

The former Georgetown Hoyas center is on his way to the country to replace the ineffective Rodney White, who could only average seven points and same number of boards in two games.

It has been reported that the Boosters' negotiations to get Sims hit a snag when his NBA D-League team Erie Bayhawks coach tried to persuade him to stay for their hunt of a playoff spot.  But Sims, who is the Bayhawks' starting center with averages of 16.4 points on top of 8.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 32 minutes of play this season, has decided to leave the team and try his luck in the Philippines.

He went to Twitter yesterday to bid his D-League team goodbye. 

No less than San Miguel Corporation sports director Noli Eala confirmed the news of Sims' arrival on his Twitter account.

The 6-foot-10 Sims got undrafted in the NBA but was signed to a 10-day contract by the New Orleans Hornets last month after making it to the D-League All Star game.  He, however, failed to land a contract extension and went back to the Bayhawks for the remainder of the season until Petron's offer came in. 

The 23-year old Sims, who will play in overseas for the first time in his life, is anxious of his 16-hour plane ride to the country. 

Upon his arrival tomorrow morning, he is expected to join the Boosters' practice immediately in the afternoon in preparation for their game against the Meralco Bolts on Friday.  But Eala said it's up to the coaching staff on who to use on Friday as standby import Gabe Freeman has been practicing with the team since the Holy Week break.  

Freeman, who is with Petron's sister team San Miguel Beer in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), has been temporarily tapped to be on standby for at least two games when negotiations with Sims was derailed last week. But with the confirmation of Sims' arrival, the ball is now on the hands of Petron coach Olsen Racela.