MANILA—With barely a month left before the start of its KBL campaign, the Seoul Samsung Thunders decided to move on from the debacle surrounding Will Navarro's contract with Gilas Pilipinas and looked for another Filipino as their Asian import.
Seoul Samsung announced on Thursday that it has signed up Christian David as its new Asian import, apparently replacing Navarro.
The Thunders initially recruited Navarro to be their Asian import, but the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas prevented him from joining them due to his live contract as a full-time Gilas player.
Navarro earlier in the day issued an apology to the SBP but requested too for his release from the Gilas contract, which also comes with a clause for him to play for NorthPort in the PBA, in hopes of still joining Seoul Samsung in the KBL.
[Related Story: Will Navarro apologizes to SBP but wishes to be released from Gilas contract too]
However, the Korean side opted to go instead for David, standing six-feet-six like Navarro.
The former Butler University player is not eligible to play for Gilas as a local as he failed to attain a Philippine passport when he turned 16.
However, both his parents are Filipino, making him eligible as an Asian import.
The Thunders will begin their KBL season on Oct. 16 against the Changwon Sakers, bolstered by Asian import Justin Gutang.
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