New import Justin Harper debuted in style for playoff-spot-hunters Globalport Batang Pier on Wednesday night, towing the neon-green clad squad to a rousing 94-86 shocker to the Meralco Bolts.
And the Richmond, Virginia native did it all the while battling jetlag, as he had flown all the way from the United States through a 14-hour travel time.
“I got here at 4:30 AM and just got ready to play with [them tonight],” admitted the 27-year-old, who finished with a game-high 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting along nine rebounds and three blocks in the 42 minutes he played.
“I just tried not to think about it. Just go out there and play my game and have fun doing it. Luckily we were able to get the win. Everybody played hard. I’m glad to be part of this team and have the opportunity like this.”
Globalport’s decision to replace former import Malcolm White was a puzzling move, knowing that they only have three games left — including the match against Meralco — in the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup.
But Batang Pier head coach Franz Pumaren clarified the import switch, explaining that the 6-foot-8Â Harper, he himself a two-time NBA D-League All-Star, is “somebody that can give us a new dimension in the game.”
And with the praises bestowed upon by Pumaren, Harper — who had three stops in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, and Philadelphia 76ers — is more than willing to help his now-3-6 squad reach the conference playoffs.
“I’m ready,” Harper vowed.
“All I can really do is play hard every night and show that I wanna make it to the playoffs too. So by any means, I can help the team win, that’s why I’m here.”
