By Nelson Beltran

MANILA, Philippines - Purefoods and Alaska Milk are still without an import with a week to go before the opening of the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference on Feb. 28 in Dumaguete.

The Giants had actually found a replacement for Reggie Larry in Harvey Thomas but the one-time All-Big 12 Third Team awardee failed to make the 6-foot-6 height limit in a measurement done before flying to Manila.

“Bad breaks continue to hound us. Thomas is another good talent we lost,” said coach Ryan Gregorio, whose team earlier lost Larry to injury suffered in a tune-up match against San Miguel Beer Wednesday.

“It’s very unfortunate Thomas measured over the limit. He’s good. He’s teammate of Rod Nealy (of Barangay Ginebra) and J.J. Sullinger (of Coca-Cola) in the CBA.

Thomas completed collegiate career at Baylor after starting at Georgetown and routing through Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Community College in Miami, Oklahoma. He also briefly attended Daytona Beach Community College in Florida during the summer of 2002.

Pressure to find an import is mounting on the Giants as they will start their campaign in the reinforced tourney on March 1 against the Talk n Text Tropang Texters.

Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes is in the US, personally checking on their prospect.

Purefoods, Alaska and Rain or Shine, meanwhile, are burning the lines in search of the right reinforcement.

While awaiting for Jai Lewis to finish his stint in Japan, Rain or Shine has decided to start the conference with Charles Clark III.

Purefoods and Alaska are after old imports Marquin Chandler and Rosell Ellis who both are still tied up in another league.


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