Magnolia let go of Terrell Brown-Soares at the last minute to bring in Nuni Omot for the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
Magnolia made a shocking move just two days before the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup unfurled, replacing original import Terrell Brown-Soares with Nuni Omot.
But it wasn’t a decision made on a whim.
Hotshots coach LA Tenorio bared Omot had already been on the team’s radar in the offseason.
That’s why when the Omot became available following the conflict in the Middle East, the Hotshots signed him right away.
“This guy, si Nuni, naging available sya kasi nawala siya sa team niya sa Lebanon because of whats happening,” said Tenorio of Omot, who played for Al Riyadi Club Beirut before flying to Manila.
Tenorio said they wanted someone who could be a leader and an aggressor on both ends of the court. The South Sudan national team captain fit the bill.
“Gusto lang namin makita kung this player can really fill up the spot kung saan kami talaga kami kulang which is we need a leader that can be aggressive both ends of the floor,” the former Ginebra floor general said.
“He’s a national team player. So he knows how to be a leader. He’s a vet.”
And though he finished with 27 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a steal in a 98-101 loss to Phoenix in their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup opener, Tenorio believed there’s more up the lanky import’s sleeve.
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“I don't wanna make it an excuse, but he didn’t play for two weeks and a half. He just arrived, nagkasakit actually pagkadating. Yesterday official practice niya samin,” he said.
“I’m sure he will be better. He’s a leader... Yun ang kailangan niya ilabas sa team na ‘to.”
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.