By JONAS TERRADO
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – Columbian vs Alaska
7 p.m. – Meralco vs NLEX
The Columbian Dyip look to sustain their surprising start with new import John Fields making his debut against the Alaska Aces today in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fields, who replaced CJ Aiken, is expected to provide the needed presence for the Ricky Dandan-coached Dyip as they seek their third victory in four matches in the 4:30 p.m. match with the Aces.
Columbian is coming off a 123-103 rout of NLEX at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City over the weekend but still made the move to tap Fields, who played for the Tennessee Volunteers in the US NCAA.
Listed at 6-foot-8, Fields is coming off a stint with Greek club Trikalla and will try to exceed the Dyip’s expectations after Aiken produced 19.3 points, 16.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in three games.
Jerramy King, averaging a team-high 21.7 points per game, hopes to lead the Dyip to another win alongside Eric Camson, Rashawn McCarthy, Carlo Lastimosa, Ronald Tubid and Reden Celda.
Out to give Fields a rude welcome are the Aces, who last Sunday barged into the win column with a 93-74 defeat of the Blackwater Elite.
Alaska, toting an even 1-1 slate, tries to build on its lopsided win with import Antonio Campbell, Vic Manuel and Calvin Abueva.
In the second game, Meralco shoots for its second win in three tries against winless NLEX at 7 p.m.
Attention will once again be on import Arinze Onuaku, who is living up to his billing as the Best Import of the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup with averages of 25.5 points, 16.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.5 blocks.
The Bolts return from a one-week layoff after an 86-85 loss to the GlobalPort Batang Pier.
Meanwhile, NLEX eyes its first win of the conference after two straight losses, including a 98-97 defeat to solo leader Rain or Shine two nights ago in Antipolo City.
Import Arnett Moultrie scored 24 points in his debut while JR Quinahan and rookie Kiefer Ravena added 23 points each but it was not enough for the Road Warriors to score a win.
