Richard Dy 6y

Meralco Bolts tap ex-Barako Bull import Liam McMorrow for Champions Cup stint

Meralco finally got its wish after signing up 7-foot-2 slotman Liam McMorrow as its second import for the 2018 FIBA Asia Champions Cup set to start on September 27 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

The stocky McMorrow is set to arrive late Tuesday night in Manila.

The 31-year-old McMorrow is a familiar name to PBA fans, having played as Barako Bull's big import in the 2015 Governors' Cup where he posted averages of 25 points and 23 rebounds per contest.

Meralco team manager Paolo Trillo said they have been following the career of the former Tennessee Tech standout since his Barako Bull stint.

"We've been following Liam ever since he came from Barako. It was an unlimited height for imports in the conference back then, but he wasn't able to get back to the PBA since," Trillo told ESPN5 on Monday. "But we recall he really performed very well in the PBA."

The soft-spoken Trillo said McMorrow is what the team needs heading to the club championship, well aware that Asian squads led by reigning champion Al-Riyadi of Lebanon are loaded with tall and strong imports, too.

"He's what we're looking for in this tournament to match up with other teams because they also have seven-footers as well," he said. "So we feel he's fit for this tournament."

The Meralco team executive said McMorrow, a well-traveled import, is fresh from training camps with the Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder recently.

"Liam can run the floor, is quick, can go up and down and he'll be able to help address our need to match up bigger imports," noted Trillo.

McMorrow will be teaming up with two-time PBA Best Import Allen Durham in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup where they will try to help the Bolts end the Philippines' 22-year title drought.

Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas finished fifth place in last year's edition in Chenzhou, China.

The Bolts are bunched together with Al-Riyadi, Japanese B. League team Alvark Tokyo and host nation Thailand's Mono Vampire at Group B.

Group A includes Iran's Petrochimi, Taiwan's Pauian Archiland, China's Liaoning Flying Leopards and South Korea's SK Knights.

The Philippines last won the FIBA Asia Champions Cup title in 1996 behind club team Hapee Toothpaste, which was then reinforced by Tony Harris and Bobby Parks.

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