MANILA, Philippines – Meralco Bolts team manager Paolo Trillo confirmed that Arinze Onuaku will rejoin the squad for the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The six-foot-nine former Syracuse Orange first suited up for the Bolts also during the Commissioner’s Cup of 2016, leading the squad to the semifinals where they lost to Alaska in a best-of-five series that went the distance. Onuaku helped Meralco to an 11-6 record that netted him a Best Import Award.
“You know our concerns in the middle and having someone like Arinze back will fill a glaring need at the center slot,” said a pleased Trillo. “We signed up him early because you know these imports, they play everywhere so we had to ensure that we were getting him back.”
Onuaku recently suited up for the Zheijang Golden Bulls of the Chinese Basketball Association after over a two-month stint with the Orlando Magic during the past NBA season.
Trillo also bared that by the time the Commissioner’s Cup tips off in May, many of the injured Bolts who missed a lengthy amount of time during the ongoing Philippine Cup will see action.
“Ranidel De Ocampo will be back as will Jared Dillinger and Cliff Hodge,” bared Trillo. “Of the three, it is Cliff who we hope to get into game shape after his MCL tear. I think while we have been unlucky with injuries, we are also fortunate that they all seemed to have happened at the same time so we are getting everyone back in time for the next conference.”
“Arinze should be in Manila by the first week of April,” added Trillo. “If he can help play that void in our lineup, we hope to do better.”