Bolts dump slam-dunking Dandridge, tap Nigerian import Oguchi

Basketball is more than just a dunking exhibition. This Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio found out, as his import, Anthony Dandridge, has failed to help their team to a victory after three games in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Dandridge, a former Slam Dunk champion in the US NCAA, was given the pink slip and replaced by FIBA Africa Championship veteran Chamberlain Nnemeka Oguchi. Oguchi was measured at 6-foot-3 and 13/16 inches. A player with a decent touch from the perimeter, Oguchi was a former member of the Nigerian national basketball team, which played in the 2009 FIBA Africa Championship. He played three seasons for the University of Oregon Ducks before transferring to University of Illinois. Last year, Oguchi played for the Maine Red Claws in the National Basketball Development League (NBDL), where he averaged 10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting at a steady 34.9-percent clip from rainbow territory. Oguchi’s steady shooting is one of the main reasons why Gregorio opted to replace the exciting but less effective Dandridge with the American-Nigerian cager. “The decision to change iur import is brought about by immediate need. We need an import who can shoot from the three-point range and spread the floor for Mac's (Cardona) and Sol’s (Mercado) penetrating space. We are determined to win," said Gregorio. But to notch their first win, Gregorio believes his team needs to play with a sense of urgency and do things the right way. “We will be trying to find ways to win. We were not ready to make the 'correct' decisions in the end game against San Miguel, which caused our downfall," said Gregorio, referring to the Bolts’ 89-90 loss to the Beermen last week. “Hopefully, we’ve learned from it. It is a very slow start for us, but the plan is to recover and get on the right track. We will continue to persevere." Meanwhile, Powerade has decided to activate guard Paolo Mendoza in lieu of Chico Lanete, who was hurt in the team’s previous game. Mendoza, one of the team’s elder statesmen, was put on the reserves list prior to the start of the Commissioner’s Cup after the team acquired the services of veteran journeyman Celino Cruz. - KY, Rey Joble, GMA News