The Meralco Bolts’ longtime import is back in town, and he’s thrilled to see the progress of his old teammate.
PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup champions Meralco Bolts will be welcoming back longtime import Allen Durham as they aim to win two titles in a row in the one conference where they have come up short several times in the past.
The PBA Governors’ Cup has been the Bolts’ albatross, as they have gone 0-4 in the finals dating back to the 2015-16 season, which incidentally was the first time Durham played for the Bolts.
Durham last played for the Bolts in the 2019-20 Governors’ Cup, where they again fell short in the finals. He went on to play in Korea and Japan for the next four years, and recently won a championship with the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the Japan B.League.
While in Japan, Durham saw firsthand the influx of Filipino players and how they have steadily improved their skill sets.
“Just playing against some guys over there throughout the season and stuff, you can kind of see their development. And there’s no drop-off. They can hold their own with everybody and stuff like that. And in some cases, they’re the best player on their team. So I think Filipino basketball has come a long way for sure.
“Obviously, the Philippines is a basketball country. You guys take it very serious here. And, it’s paying off. You know, people getting jobs outside of the country and making good money and stuff. So, I think it’s only going to continue to grow. And so, I’m happy for them guys.”
Durham said the experience of winning it all in Japan helped him considerably. “Just high level basketball over there kind of helped me develop my skills a little bit more. So, I’m excited to bring that back to the PBA and play with my guys with it.”
‘My rookie’
Returning to the PBA wasn’t really on his mind after his Japan stint ended earlier this year, but when the Bolts called, he was didn’t give it a second thought.
“It feels good,” he said about returning to Manila. I”t doesn’t seem like it’s been that long. But being back here, it feels like it’s back at home. they tried to get me, I believe, last year. But I was still on a contract. And so, after my contract ended, they gave me a call and I was ready to come back.
“But now that it kind of came to, it kind of felt like it was the right thing to do. And I’m happy I did. I’m happy everything worked out like that.”
The Bolts won their first PBA title last June, defeating the San Miguel Beermen in six games to claim the Philippine Cup crown. Durham said he followed the series closely, and was ecstatic to watch his old teammates finally win one.
“Man, I was excited for the guys,” he said. “I was over in Japan and I was watching the games a little bit here and there. And I’m so happy that they got over the hump. And so, now everybody knows what it takes.”
Durham said he noticed the improvement in many of the Bolts. “Yeah, I’m impressed. I’m so impressed. I mean, you know, they always were hard workers. But, just kind of see their development over the years.”
Yet among all of them, he is happiest to see the development of Chris Newsome, who was a rookie when Durham first joined the team in 2016.
“He was my rookie, you know. So, just seeing like from the start to now and the leader that he is, I’m very, very proud of him.
“’New’ was always first in the gym, last to leave the gym. But his leadership and leading the team, I think that’s kind of really where he kind of developed and grown over the years.”
Newsome recently suited up for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where he was the starting point guard. Durham caught some highlights of their games and came away impressed with his teammate’s performance.
“I know New, he’s always able to compete against the highest level and stuff. So hopefully he gets the opportunity to, you know, be on Gilas for a real stint staying on the team. So, yeah, he’s a great player.”
Eyes on the prize
A lot has changed for the Bolts since Durham last played for them. His old coach Norman Black has moved on to a consultancy role, with Luigi Trillo and active consultant Nenad Vucinic taking over the shot-calling. Meanwhile, half of the players are new to him.
“I’m still trying to learn the coach and the new system and stuff like that. But the guys seem to like the new adjustments and stuff and the system and everything. So, I’m excited to learn it and get involved into it more.
“There’s some new faces. But the core group of guys is still there. And, you know, they still got the same mentality and stuff. So, for us, we’re just going to bring the younger guys ahead and, you know, try to accomplish something great together.”
As for the rest of the league, one other familiar face will also be back with Barangay Ginebra once again bringing in Justin Brownlee. Durham declines to call Ginebra-Meralco a rivalry (“we’ve got to beat them first”), but he’s looking forward to facing Brownlee and the Kings again.
“I’m excited to play against them, play against him. It’s always a good competition when we go up against them guys.
“I mean, obviously, the PBA is very tough, tough teams and stuff. But, I think we got better tools and stuff like that. So, I think we can have a good chance at it.”
Banner Image from PBA Media Group.