Terrafirma is plotting a huge comeback as it seeks to bring back an old reliable in Lester Prosper to serve as its import in the upcoming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup this October.
Dyip head coach Johnedel Cardel yesterday told Daily Tribune that they are now putting finishing touches on their negotiation with the 6-foot-10 journeyman who powered them when they were still known as Columbian Dyip in 2019 as replacement for Kyle Barone.
Should the Prosper deal fail to prosper, the Dyip are expected to reach out to former PBA imports Khapri Alston and Charles Rhodes.
It will be the first time for the league to stage the Commissioner’s Cup, which has a height limit of 6-foot-10 for foreign players, since the pandemic hit the country in 2020.
“We have three options: Lester Prosper, Khapri Alston and Lester Prosper. But we’re keen on getting Prosper,” said Cardel, whose squad lost all of its 11 games in the ongoing Philippine Cup.
“He is constantly talking to us and he really wants to help our team after what happened in the previous conference.”
Prosper, a muscular 33-year-old New York native, averaged 33.6 points, 16.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.0 steal for the Dyip in the Commissioner’s Cup three years ago.
The following year, he was granted Indonesian citizenship that made him eligible to see action in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, FIBA Asia Cup and the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
Meralco is the first team to announce its import for the upcoming mid-season conference.
The Bolts said they have already reached a deal with Johnny O’Bryant, a 6-foot-9 forward who was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 36th pick in the 2014 National Basketball Association Annual Rookie Draft.
He led Maccabi Tel Aviv to Israeli League Championship in 2019 before playing for Wonju DB Promy in the Korean Basketball League earlier this year.
“Every conference is a chance for us to get better as a team,” Meralco team manager Paolo Trillo said.
“We look forward to continuing the gains the Bolts have made in recent years as we work towards our first championship.”
