MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados has sent original import choice Terrell Brown-Soares packing, and will bring in South Sudan forward Nuni Omot in time for the Hotshots’ PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup debut on Friday against Phoenix Super LPG at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
Hotshots head coach LA Tenorio confirmed of the import change on Wednesday to The Manila Times.
Magnolia battles Phoenix at 8:30 p.m.
Listed at 6 feet and 9 inches, Omot is a veteran member of the South Sudan basketball squad and has been part of the national team since the 2021 FIBA Afro Basket Qualifiers.
Omot also played for the South Sudan team which clobbered Gilas Pilipinas, 87-68, in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which the Philippines hosted at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 31-year-old Omot averaged 14.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists for South Sudan, which placed 17th in the 32-nation FIBA World Cup.
Omot is seen as an energy guy who after going undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, played for the Long Island Nets in the NBA G-League, before taking his game overseas.
He has played in North Macedonia, Turkey, Puerto Rico and even won a championship with Egyptian club team Al Ahly during the 2023 Basketball Africa League.
His most recent international stint was with the Al Riyadi Beirut in the Lebanese league where he normed 14.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
In Friday's curtain raiser, Blackwater and NLEX begin their campaign in the tournament when they take on each other at 5:15 p.m.
The Bossing are eyeing to redeem themselves in the tournament with comebacking import Daniel Ochefu reinforcing the team.
NLEX, on the other hand, will have Caddy Lane as import as the Jong Uichico-coached squad is looking end its title drought.