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Meralco taps former NLEX import KJ McDaniels

Sports | Basketball

Meralco taps former NLEX import KJ McDaniels

By Reynald I. Magallon

Meralco is tapping former NLEX import KJ McDaniels in hopes to salvage a 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign riddled by injuries and dry spells despite decent numbers from original import Johnny O’Bryant.

KJ McDaniels (PBA Images)

The Bolts, though, are giving some inches when they chose the 6-foot-5 McDaniels who have already played in the PBA through Meralco sister teams NLEX and TNT.

McDaniels actually played for the Road Warriors just last season during the Governor’s Cup before his stint was cut short as he had to attend his wife who was then set to give birth.

In his return to the PBA, much is expected from the proven scorer as he is set to join a Meralco side which is without star players Chris Newsome and Aaron Black along with lead guard Chris Banchero due to injuries.

Adding to the woes for the Bolts are the series of lackluster performances from O’Bryant including a conference-low seven points in Meralco’s 89-82 loss to Phoenix.

The former NBA forward posted solid numbers of 26 points, 14.5 rebounds and five assists per outing but struggled to find his shooting touch with a 32-percent clip from the field – the lowest among imports.

Meralco stumbled to a 1-5 record – its worst start since the 2018 Governor’s Cup, prompting the team to send O’Bryant home for Jessie Govan. However, the supposed replacement was measured over the height limit which then forced the Bolts to tap McDaniels.

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