TNT eyes Ochefu as 2nd import for EASL

TNT is eyeing American-born Nigerian Daniel Ochefu as its second reinforcement in the East Asia Super League (EASL) Champions Week slated on March 1-15 in Japan.

“We’re looking at Daniel Ochefu,” TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa confided to The Manila Times, whose team opens the EASL’s weeklong hoops hostilities versus 2021-22 Japan B.League champion Utsunomiya Brex on opening night, March 1, at the Brex Arena.

The 6-foot-11 Ochefu was supposed to play for Rain or Shine in the recent Commissioner’s Cup, but was replaced at the last minute by Steve Taylor, Jr. when coach Yeng Guiao came on board.

Lastimosa believes the 30-year-old former Washington Wizard big man can provide the much-needed size as they face top Asian ball clubs from Japan, Korea and China.

“[He’ll be able to provide] middle presence and inside points,” Lastimosa said. “And it’s a good measure of how we compare PBA talent versus Asian counterparts.”

Should negotiations succeed, Ochefu will pair with TNT’s current Governors’ Cup import Jalen Hudson in the EASL cage joust where the top finishers in each of the two groups compete for the championship crown and the $250,000 prize money on March 5.

Lastimosa said the team has also considered NorthPort’s former Commissioner’s Cup import Prince Ibeh, but he is currently tied up in a commitment with the Taiwan HeroBears in the T1 League.

The weeklong tournament features eight teams divided into two groups of four squads each.

Group A has Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer, Anyang KGC, Taipei Fubon Braves and Ryukyu Golden Kings, and Group B has TNT, Seoul SK Knights, recent Commissioner’s Cup runners-up Bay Area Dragons and Utsunomiya Brex.