In a bid to stabilize its shaky campaign, Magnolia is set to parade its third import in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup.

Hotshots’ head coach Chito Victolero confirmed that they tapped Justin Jackson to replace Curtis Kelly, who failed to lift the squad to a single win in his two outings.

Currently with a 3-3 win-loss card, Magnolia is banking on the 6-foot-9 Jackson to finally end its drought entering the home stretch of this mid-season conference.

“Yes, Justin Jackson (is our new import). He will play on Sunday,” said Victolero through a text message to Daily Tribune following reports of Kelly’s exit.

The Hotshots started the conference with veteran import Vernon Macklin, who led them to three victories in their first four matches.

But Macklin had to leave for China, prompting the Hotshots to tap Kelly, but the squad still sputtered with back-to-back setbacks, including a painful 84-86 meltdown to Blackwater last Wednesday.

Against the Elite, the 30-year old Kelly was limited to just 12 points and nine rebounds on top of six turnovers in 38 minutes of action.

He averaged 15.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in his two games with the Hotshots.

“As far as I know, that pretty much is my deciding game,” he said. “I don’t know what the future holds for me in the Hotshots and I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

Jackson, on the other hand, is coming off a solid stint with Rieker KN Basketball Club in Slovakia where he averaged 11.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.5 blocks per game.

He will make his debut against Alaska on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Previous articlePH targets 4th in ParaNext articleWarriors eye sweet sweep John Bryan Ulanday