Meralco parades Mexican League champ

In a bid to further boost its arsenal, Meralco is bringing in a new import when it plays its first game of the year in the Governors' Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association next week.

Bolts team manager Paolo Trillo said they will be parading Shonn Miller, a 6-foot-7 forward who is still fresh from leading Fuerza Regia to the Mexican League title.

Trillo said Miller already arrived on Thursday and is ready to take the spot of the high-scoring Zach Lofton, who came in a temporary replacement of their original choice, Suleiman Braimoh.

The 6-foot-4 Lofton, Meralco's import in the East Asia Super League Home and Away season, played only three games in the PBA but averaged an impressive 35.67 points.

He, however, slowed down in their previous game against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on 22 December, firing a quiet 23 points after being hounded by the suffocating defense of Scottie Thompson and Maverick Ahanmisi all game long.

Trillo said Miller is in great shape after spending some quality time with his family following his Mexican stint.

"We just gave him enough time to rest and spend Christmas with his family before coming in since we know how draining it was mentally and physically playing in a championship series," Trillo said in a telephone conversation with DAILY TRIBUNE.

Miller played for the Utah Jazz in the National Basketball Association Summer League seven years ago, but it was in Greece and Germany where his professional career truly blossomed.

Miller averaged 11.5 points and six rebounds while playing for the Kolossus Rodou two years ago.