PBA spares Tigers import Sullinger, earns chance of facing former team

MANILA, Philippines – It’s a good thing the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) spared import JJ Sullinger of a one-game suspension. Otherwise, the chance to go up against his former team may never happen again. Sullinger takes a crack against Talk ‘N Text Wednesday when the Coca-Cola Tigers battle the Tropang Texters in the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup. The import escaped being meted a fine by the league’s Commissioner’s Office for the flagrant foul 2 he committed against Barako Bull’s Jeff Chan during the Tigers’ 106-103 win in their game. Sullinger was trying to defend the Barako Bull guard while trying to attempt from the three-point region, his right foot stepping on the same spot where the former Far Eastern University’s feet landed. Nonetheless, Commissioner Sonny Barrios slapped a P20,000 fine on the Coke reinforcement. With the former Ohio State stalwart suiting up for the Tigers in the 4:50 p.m. game, the Tropang Texters will be up against the same import who steered them to a runner up finish in the 2007 Fiesta Conference. But Sullinger isn’t expected to finish his tour of duty with the Tigers as coach Kenneth Duremdes has already made it known that the team is sticking with its plan to bring in James Penny once he winds up his commitment in another tournament. Talk ‘N Text has Tiras Wade for its import in the season-ending conference, but so far, the telecommunication franchise has yet to make the win column after two games. No problem about it, according to coach Chot Reyes. “I expected to lose our first two games because we weren’t ready," said Reyes. “But we expect to play a better game against Coke, aka the ex-TNT team of Asi (Taulava), (JJ) Sullinger, (Mark) Macapagal and (Mark) Telan." Coca-Cola is a notch better than Talk ‘N Text with an even 1-1 card, the record being carried by Sta. Lucia and Barangay Ginebra which meet in the day’s main game. The Realtors and the Gin Kings will go into their match having contrasting results from previous matches. Sta. Lucia beat Talk ‘N Text while Ginebra got stunned by Burger King 110-106. Although playing without Dennis Espino and Ryan Reyes because of injuries, the Realtors have gotten superb support from Marlou Aquino and Paolo Mendoza, who combined for 25 points in the victory against the Texters. The Gin Kings, meanwhile, are likely to make minor adjustments on their offense. Ginebra is slowly becoming a one-man team centered on import Rod Nealy, who has submitted the highest output in this tournament (42 points). – GMANews.TV