Phoenix Super LPG has a contingency plan in the event Paul Harris remains unfit to play in time for the 2022 PBA Governors’ Cup resumption this week.
The Fuel Masters have brought in Donald Tankoua as the veteran globetrotter is still recovering from the hamstring injury he sustained on Christmas Day. The incident dampened their streak-busting 102-92 win over NLEX.
Photo by PBA Images
“Donald is just our backup import just in case Harris won’t be ready when the league returns on February 11,” team manager Paolo Bugia said.
Tankoua has been with the team for weeks now and could be eligible to play since he easily passes the league’s 6-foot-6 height requirement for imports in the season-ending conference. He is listed at 6-foot-6.
And if ever he does play, the Cameroonian big man could possibly be the first foreign student-athlete from a local college to suit up in the PBA.
Tankoua is best known for his time with San Beda. He helped the program win three straight NCAA championships from 2016 to 2018.
The Red Lions enforcer was also the Season 93 Finals Most Valuable Player; and twice a member of the Grand Old League’s Mythical Team.
But then again, it will all depend on how Harris, who turned 35 last October, heals up from his injury, which apparently has been hounding him even before the tipoff of the Road Warriors game at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“We still have a week to assess the condition of Harris,” said Bugia.
