November 14, 2024

PBA: Early import change for NorthPort as Batang Pier bring in familar face in Venky Jois

PBA: Early import change for NorthPort as Batang Pier bring in familar face in Venky Jois
Venky Jois returns for NorthPort in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup. | Photo (c) PBA

NorthPort is switching imports one game into the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.

The league announced this development on its website on Thursday, August 22.

The Batang Pier let go of Taylor Johns despite a 36-point, 16-rebound and nine-assist outing in a 95-101 loss to TNT in their opening tiff.

 

[RELATED STORY: PBA: RHJ deflects credit to TNT teammates after dominant Governors’ Cup win against NorthPort]

With JM Calma still nursing a knee injury and with promising big in Zavier Lucero traded to Magnolia in the offseason, NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan said the team aches for an inside presence.

“Inside presence talaga ang kailangan ng team with (center) JM (Calma) still out with injury," Tan said in the same article.

 

Replacing Johns is a familiar face in Venky Jois, who reinforced the team in the Commissioner’s Cup last season.

Nothing is set in stone yet for Jois, though.

 

NorthPort is still waiting for Jois’ clearance from Autralia’s basketball federation to make his return official.

The 31-year-old, who averaged 24.5 points, over 15 rebounds and 5.0 assists in his previous stint with the Batang Pier, is already in Manila.

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