For the Powerade Tigers, it’s just so hard not to be upbeat for the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup following their Cinderella ride in the Philippine Cup and their acquisition of a prized import.
“We’re excited for the second conference with Dwayne Jones,” said Powerade top official JB Baylon.
The Tigers believe they’ve built chemistry, confidence and competitiveness that can well give them another good run in the second conference.
For all their handicaps, coach Bo Perasol and his young troops carved an incredible feat in the Philippine Cup, defying tall odds to finish second behind eventual champion Talk n Text.
Powerade, barely making the playoffs as eighth placer in the elimination round, stunned top seed B-Meg in the quarterfinals then upended fifth ranked Rain or Shine in the semifinals to set up a titular showdown with Talk n Text.
The Tigers survived no less than four knockout matches in their stirring playoff run that earned them respect and accolades from peers and foes.
“Let me extend my warmest congratulations to the powerhouse Talk n Text Tropang Texters for their mastery of the game called basketball. In the same breath, let me salute the Powerade Tigers for making all of us in the Coca-Cola System mighty proud of their showing. If nothing else, your growing following is testament that the brand of play you show on court is what creates new sports heroes,” said Baylon in toasting his team.
“The Tigers had a run which befits their team – young, scrappy talented. With a big import, they’ll be very, very tough in the second conference,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.
The Tigers are just taking a weeklong rest and return to the training camp Monday.
They’ll be back in action in the second conference with 6-foot-11 Jones, a five-year NBA veteran with stints with the Boston Celtics, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Charlotte Bobcats and the Phoenix Suns.
Jones is a huge inside presence who led the NBA Developmental League in rebounds in 2005 with an average of 11.7 while playing for the Florida Flame. He then also led the league in offensive rebounds (4.5) and placed third in blocks (2.0).
A product of Saint Joseph’s, the Morgantown, West Virginia native has had his experience of international plays, having played in Belgrade, China, Turkey and Puerto Rico.
Jones was signed by the Minnesota Timberwolves as an undrafted rookie free agent on Aug. 26, 2005.
Without a single official appearance for the Wolves, Jones was traded to the Boston Celtics on Jan. 27, 2006, along with Michael Olowakandi, Wally Szczerbiak and a future first-round draft choice, in exchange for Marcus Banks, Mark Blount, Ricky Davis, Justin Reed and two future conditional second-round draft choices.
He played 14 games for the Celtics during the season, averaging 1.0 points and 2.2 rebounds with a season high seven points.
Jones was traded to the Cavaliers on Oct. 13, 2006, in exchange for Luke Jackson, and appeared in four regular season games.
In his first full season as an NBA player in 2007-08, Jones averaged 1.0 point and 2.0 rebounds in 56 games.
In September 2008, Jones was signed by the Orlando Magic to play in the team's training camp, but was released before the season started. He then signed with Turkish league club Efes Pilsen SK. (SB)
Source: PBA.ph
