There will be no Mbenga sighting that will happen on the PBA.
As stated in earlier reports, Barangay Ginebra yearned for the services of the 7-foot former Laker center DJ Mbenga and even gave him a formal offer sheet to sign for the Ginebra Kings as their reinforcement on the just starting PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Seems like the possibility that Mbenga will wear the jersey of the most popular team in the PBA all hit nothing but a wall.
Maybe all could have been well if the season waited a little longer, but that’s not how the business really works. Popular agent Sheryl Reyes told Spin.ph that DJ can’t commit to Ginebra on the date they’re requesting because he has prior commitments and important matters in the United States, rendering him unable to fly to the Philippines and suit up for Barangay Ginebra immediately.
“May mga inaasikaso pa kasi si DJ sa US, sa February 22 pa siya magiging available,” Reyes said. “Hindi niya kaya yung hinihiling ng Ginebra na ASAP.”
“We can’t say that the negotiations have bogged down. Kasi pwede pa naman i-revive ng Ginebra or other teams yung talk with Mbenga,” Added Reyes.
With Mbenga currently out of the picture, Barangay Ginebra’s officials and coaches are now shifting their interests to NBA D-Leaguer Vernon Macklin, who’s the listed center of Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Reports have said that a formal offer has been sent to Macklin, but even the Ginebra officials are still wary and doubtful that he can fix and settle all the proper documents, especially with the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) and Bureau of Immigration, and still make it in time for the Kings’ next game against the Petron Blazers on Sunday.
The more possible scenario, however, is that Herbert Hill will still suit up for Barangay Ginebra on the game against Globalport on Friday. This possibly can make him have one last hurrah to sway Ginebra’s coaching staff to keep him for the rest of the season.
