Nealy returns for Gin Kings, Realtors hire ‘fresh grad’
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20090212
Nealy returns for Gin Kings, Realtors hire ‘fresh grad’
By Musong R. Castillo
MANILA, Philippines—Rod Nealy, a left-hander who had some bright moments in his first stint on Philippine soil, returns to play for defending champion Barangay Ginebra again in the Fiesta Cup starting on Feb. 28.
The 6-foot-5 Nealy saw action for the Kings two years ago, helping Ginebra reach the quarterfinals, where it lost to sister team San Miguel, 2-1, including a heart-rending 117-114 overtime loss in Game 3.
Athletic and with a good vision of the floor, Nealy saw action for 22 games and averaged close to 32 points a contest highlighted by a league-best 39.1-percent from the three-point range and 51.4-percent from the two-point zone.
Nealy also plucked down an average of close to 15 rebounds, second best in the tournament, aside from dishing out 5.4 assists and making 1.4 steals.
He arrives Saturday night and will immediately start working out with the Kings, who are also awaiting the return of leading local scorer Mark Caguioa from the United States where he is recovering from knee injuries.
The 28-year-old Nealy will be planing in fresh from a stint with the Albany Patroons in the minor Continental Basketball Association.
Coach Jong Uichico is hopeful that he can have the compliment of a complete and healthy lineup in time for the opening.
“He’s improving, he’s still doing the rehab,” Uichico said, referring to Caguioa, who is suffering from tendonitis on both knees. “We want him to be ready before opening, (of the Fiesta Cup), but it all depends on his progress in rehab.”
Just a couple of weeks back, Ginebra was able to acquire three young talents in a three-team trade, bagging wingman JC Intal and forward Doug Kramer from Air21, and playmaker Chico Lanete from Purefoods.
While Ginebra has opted to tap a former import, Sta. Lucia Realty enlisted the services of AJ Jackson, a 6-foot-6 guard who played last year for the Robert Morris University Colonials.
“He’s a fresh graduate (last year). He went to France but never played. We settled for a young one because I know he wants to make an impact,” Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez said.
The Realtors’ previous plan was to hire former Coca-Cola import Anthony Johnson, but Fernandez and SLR team manager Buddy Encarnado opted to have the 23-year-old Jackson.
http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20090212-188815/Nealy-returns-for-Gin-Kings
MANILA, Philippines—Rod Nealy, a left-hander who had some bright moments in his first stint on Philippine soil, returns to play for defending champion Barangay Ginebra again in the Fiesta Cup starting on Feb. 28.
The 6-foot-5 Nealy saw action for the Kings two years ago, helping Ginebra reach the quarterfinals, where it lost to sister team San Miguel, 2-1, including a heart-rending 117-114 overtime loss in Game 3.
Athletic and with a good vision of the floor, Nealy saw action for 22 games and averaged close to 32 points a contest highlighted by a league-best 39.1-percent from the three-point range and 51.4-percent from the two-point zone.
Nealy also plucked down an average of close to 15 rebounds, second best in the tournament, aside from dishing out 5.4 assists and making 1.4 steals.
He arrives Saturday night and will immediately start working out with the Kings, who are also awaiting the return of leading local scorer Mark Caguioa from the United States where he is recovering from knee injuries.
The 28-year-old Nealy will be planing in fresh from a stint with the Albany Patroons in the minor Continental Basketball Association.
Coach Jong Uichico is hopeful that he can have the compliment of a complete and healthy lineup in time for the opening.
“He’s improving, he’s still doing the rehab,” Uichico said, referring to Caguioa, who is suffering from tendonitis on both knees. “We want him to be ready before opening, (of the Fiesta Cup), but it all depends on his progress in rehab.”
Just a couple of weeks back, Ginebra was able to acquire three young talents in a three-team trade, bagging wingman JC Intal and forward Doug Kramer from Air21, and playmaker Chico Lanete from Purefoods.
While Ginebra has opted to tap a former import, Sta. Lucia Realty enlisted the services of AJ Jackson, a 6-foot-6 guard who played last year for the Robert Morris University Colonials.
“He’s a fresh graduate (last year). He went to France but never played. We settled for a young one because I know he wants to make an impact,” Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez said.
The Realtors’ previous plan was to hire former Coca-Cola import Anthony Johnson, but Fernandez and SLR team manager Buddy Encarnado opted to have the 23-year-old Jackson.
http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20090212-188815/Nealy-returns-for-Gin-Kings
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