Tallest imports in PBA history: Bol Bol, Sam Deguara join list of foreign giants

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Tallest imports in PBA history: Bol Bol, Sam Deguara join list of foreign giants image

Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images

By James Ajero

The upcoming PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup is gearing up to be a conference for the ages as big foreign ballers flock to join local teams following the league's decision to lift height restrictions on import players.

With the entrance of giants Bol Bol and Sam Deguara as the foreign reinforcement of TNT Tropang 5G and Macau Black Bears, respectively, for the upcoming midseason tournament on March 11, let us look back at some of the tallest imports to ever grace the Philippine league.

Bruno Sundov (7'2 ¾”)

Croatian big man Bruno Sundov became the first European player to serve as an import in the PBA after he was recruited by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters for the 2013 PBA Commissioner's Cup.

Photo by Herve Bellenger/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

At the time, Sundov was also the tallest import to join a PBA team. With his incredible size and skills, he provided spacing, rebounding, and defense for the Elasto Painters to contend with other powerhouse teams.

Sundov helped Rain or Shine attain a 9-2 win-loss record in the elimination round for a twice-to-beat incentive in the playoffs. However, the team lost momentum, yielding two consecutive games to Barangay Ginebra to bow out from the tournament.

Chris Alexander (7'1”)

Despite being one of the heroes in Barangay Ginebra's championship in the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference, 7-foot-1 Chris Alexander's exit from the team was marred by controversy.

Alexander's 37 points in the Gin Kings' 80-75 Game 6 victory over Air21 Express in the Fiesta Conference Finals saved the team from losing the series. Alexander, who captured the Best Import of the Conference award, later helped Ginebra win the title, finishing with 16 points and 19 rebounds in an epic Game 7 victory.

Photo by Dick Carlson/NBAE via Getty Images

Despite being a staple Ginebra import following this championship, the franchise executives stunned both Alexander and the fans following their decision to replace the American in the 2012 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Ginebra cited the need to have a balanced offensive and defensive output from the team's foreign reinforcement as the reason behind the change. Prior to his release, Alexander averaged 14.0 points and 20.3 rebounds for the Gin Kings in that conference.

Lorenzo Coleman (7'1”), Darell Johns (7'1”), Jim Zoet (7'1”)

Two 7’1 imports featured in the 2004-05 PBA Philippine Cup, with American big man Lorenzo Coleman suiting up for the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, and the Coca-Cola Tigers fielding Darell Johns. However, Johns tested positive for marijuana drug use, prompting the team management to release him from the squad.

Back in 1981, the league welcomed its second-ever Caucasian import in Canadian baller Jim Zoet. He played for the Finance Funders, suiting up for nine games in the PBA.

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