DYIP WANT PEREZ CLONE
Terrafirma is looking to tap Jordan Heading as top overall pick in the special Gilas draft of the
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) on 14 March.
Dyip head coach Johnedel Cardel yesterday said the Filipino-Australian Heading has what it takes to fill the huge void created by the departure of CJ Perez as he has the height and offensive prowess to slug it out against the best defenders in the league.
A former member of Batang Gilas that finished fourth in the 2011 FIBA Asia U16 Championships in Vietnam, the 24-year-old Heading declared his availability in the special draft for members of the Gilas Pilipinas pool together with Tzaddy Rangel, Jaydee Tungcab and Will Navarro.
“We’re really looking to draft Heading in the special draft,” said Cardel, who is also locked on drafting Jamie Malonzo with the top overall pick in the regular draft.
“He has the height, he has the shooting, and I think he can be the next CJ Perez. Of course, we are hoping that whoever we pick can duplicate or even surpass what CJ gave us.”
Prior to throwing his name in the star-studded draft, the 6-foot2 Heading saw action for Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League, where he posted 7.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 16 matches.
He also saw action for the California Baptist University in Adelaide, Australia, where he topped the three-point field goals made with 231 shots and finished eighth in the all-time scoring department with 1,487 points.
Cardel said Heading reminds him of Perez, whom the Dyip shipped to San Miguel Beer Russel Escoto, Gelo Alolino and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser.
“We are now studying his credentials and all the things he can bring to the team,” the 50-year-old tactician said.
“He is really like CJ. Both of them have the same height and can shoot well. They are also good defenders and from what I see, they can also pass the ball well. They are not selfish in making a play for their teammates.”
Cardel said they are now moving on from the Perez trade by working hard with his replacements.
“They (Escoto, Alolino and Ganuelas-Rosser) have been attending our team practices and they are really motivated to help us,” he said.