Simpson height case decided with finality

Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Sonny Barrios finally put an end to speculation that Alaska import Diamon Simpson is taller than the 6-foot-6 height limit for imports. Barrios confirmed that he received comments regarding Simpson, but the outgoing commissioner said that the issue had already been decided with finality. “It’s final. Simpson can play and he was already measured with finality, so we cannot contest it anymore," said Barrios Thursday in a telephone interview. “The most logical thing to do to avoid such another case is to come up with a more sharpened and more refined process in measuring imports in the future." The former National Basketball Developmental League stalwart looks bigger, probably an inch or more, than the rest of his counterparts in a tournament where imports should not go over the 6-foot-6 height limit. This is the reason coaches Jong Uichico of Barangay Ginebra and Ryan Gregorio of B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados cast their doubts on Simpson’s true height measurement and they voiced out their opinion to GMANews.TV Simpson, listed 6-foot-7 in the United States, was measured 6-foot-5 15/16 inches when all the new reinforcements in the league were advised to undergo measurement procedure prior to the start of the tournament.

Although the import passed the test, there were still questions about his true height. “We were represented by coach Allan (Caidic) and he voiced his opinion regarding the matter. It wasn’t a blatant protest as we respect Alaska’s representative and the import being measured," Uichico said in a telephone interview. “There was a final measurement made and those who conducted the measurement claimed he passed the test. We can’t make any action because our representatives are mere observers and we didn’t file any protest. But we were able to exchange thoughts with other coaches several times – that Simpson looks big and may not be 6-foot-6," added Uichico. Uichico said that his team once experienced losing an import, who failed the measurement test. “Ryan Humphrey was our original import previous conferences ago. He was measured in the morning and was sent home at night because he failed the test," Uichico added. Another member of a coaching staff who requested anonymity also said that “Simpson stood side by side with B-Meg Derby Ace slotman Raffi Reavis, who is listed above 6-foot-6. The source added that Reavis was “slightly shorter than the import." For Gregorio, he believes Simpson is taller than 6-foot-6. “I have an impression that Simpson is not 6-foot-6. He was listed 6-foot-7 in the United States barefooted and shrunk few inches when he was measured here," said Gregorio. Alaska team manager and team board governor Joaqui Trillo explained that Simpson has a wingspan of a seven-footer, which is why the import looks bigger than his actual size. “He was measured and he made the height limit. His arms are very long that makes him look tall. He has the wingspan of a seven-footer," said Trillo in a text message. Uichico suggested that perhaps the league should come up with a more stricter measuring procedure among imports in next season’s import-laden conference, a suggestion that was given affirmation by Barrios. “The board suggested if it’s ok that we come up with a more refined measurement procedure starting next season’s import-laden conference," said Barrios. “Somebody from the board also came up with a suggestion wherein the team representatives during the measurement will have the veto power to contest during the procedure." “We didn’t come up with that idea before as we have to consider other factors. We are avoiding possible chaotic scenarios such as getting continuous complains that might delay the whole process," he added. -- OMG, GMANews.TV