Early Import Woes

Bad breaks continue to hound Purefoods in its search for an import. The Giants have lost two prospects so far with Reggie Larry suffering an injury in a tune-up game Wednesday, then Harvey Thomas measuring beyond the 6-foot-6 limit in a height test done before flying to Manila Friday.

Thus, pressure to find a reinforcement is mounting on the Giants as they're already set to start their campaign in the 2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference on March 1.

Purefoods has Marquin Chandler as original choice but he's still tied up in Japan. He will be available to fly here the earliest on April.

"Thomas is another good talent we lost," said coach Ryan Gregorio. "It's very unfortunate Thomas measured beyond the limit. He's good. He's a teammate of Rod Nealy (of Barangay Ginebra) and J.J. Sullinger (of Coca-Cola) in the CBA."

Thomas completed his 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.

A forward, Thomas earned All-Big 12 Third Team honors as a junior, averaging 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. He started in 18 of 21 games that campaign.

Too bad, he can't bring his act to the local pro league.

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

Alaska is burning telephone lines in search of a temporary import with original choice Rosell Ellis still unavailable.

Rain or Shine has decided to start the conference playing Charles Clark III while awaiting for Jai Lewis.

Lewis was the primary inside force of the George Mason U Patriots team during their Cinderella run to the 2006 Final Four. He was highly recommended by Patriots teammate Gabe Norwood to the Rain or Shine management.

Listed as 6-foot-7, Lewis was a multi-talented athlete signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants in the NFL in 2006. He ended his pursuit of an NFL career as an offensive tackle to pursue his basketball options, though.

After ending his stint at George Mason with career averages of 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds, Lewis experienced playing as an import in Bosnia, Israel and France.

Aside from Clark, Nealy and Sullinger, other imports all set to play are Nate Carter for San Miguel, Scooter MacFadgon for Barako Bull, AJ Jackson for Sta. Lucia and Shawn Daniels for Burger King. (NC)