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| Venky Jois is back with NorthPort. Dennis Acosta |
MANILA--Venky Jois is coming back to NorthPort.
The league announced on Thursday that the Australian forward will return for a second tour of duty with the Batang Pier, which will begin with a Friday clash against the Terrafirma Dyip at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
As it turned out, Jois, NorthPort's import in last season's PBA Commissioner's Cup, was already here in the Philippines by Tuesday and got to watch NorthPort's thrilling game against TNT the night after at the room he rented.
Taylor Johns exploded for 36 points, 19 rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and one block for the Batang Pier, but the lack of a solid interior presence that was exposed in their loss to the Tropang Giga prompted coach Bonnie Tan to push through with activating Jois.
"Inside presence talaga kailangan ng team with JM [Calma] still out with injury," explained Tan through the PBA website.
"Actually, medyo matagal-tagal na deliberation iyan with management bago umabot sa final decision."
Despite being listed internationally at six-feet-eight, the 31-year-old Jois was measured last year by the PBA at six-feet-four, well within the six-foot-six height limit for this season's Governors' Cup.
After securing a release from the CBA's Sichuan Blue Whales, NorthPort is awaiting clearance from Basketball Australia as well for Jois to finally get to play again in the PBA.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
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