Ex-PBA Best Import Rob Dozier set to re-join Aces next week

MANILA, Philippines -- Putting premium on familiarity with the PBA’s brand of play and a winning attitude, Alaska will be bringing back former PBA Best Import Robert Dozier for the import-spiced Commissioner’s Cup set to kick off on February.

Alaska coach Alex Compton bared that the Aces have come to terms with the 6-foot-8 Dozier, who is fresh off a stint with Le Mans Sarthe Basket in France’s LNB Pro A (Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro A).

“Yes, we’re bringing back Rob Dozier next conference,” Compton told Philstar.com.

The American coach explained that Dozier’s blue-collar attitude and overall fit to the Aces’ team concept are two key factors in their decision to bring back the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup Best Import.

“He’s (Dozier) a really good teammate and everybody likes him. The guys wanted to be around him because he’s coachable,” added Compton, whose team begins its best-of-seven Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series against GlobalPort on Sunday.

Dozier, who played alongside Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose with Memphis in college, averaged 11.5 points and 8.2 rebounds in over 27 minutes of action with Le Mans recently.

The 30-year-old Dozier is best remembered for guiding the Aces to the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup crown after sweeping the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 3-0 in the Finals.

The championship was Alaska’s first in the post-Tim Cone era.

Dozier, who submitted averages of 20.1 points, 17.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 2.5 assists in the 2013 season, returned in 2014 though the Aces failed to retain their crown after bowing to San Mig (now Star) in the quarterfinals, 2-1.

Compton said Dozier is expected to arrive in the second week of January.