It is that time of the year again, as Meralco Bolts will welcome reinforcement for the highly anticipated 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, slated to begin on 19 May.
Previous Meralco imports have brought world-class talent to the Philippine hardwood and have raised the level of play among locals. The 30-year old Gani Lawal will be no different.
After playing only 17.3 minutes per game in his freshman year at Georgia Tech, the athletic forward saw his minutes and numbers go on an upward trend in his sophomore and junior seasons.
With norms of 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds in his third year, he led the team in field goal percentage and blocked shots. The Nigerian American also helped in bringing Georgia Tech to the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, even upsetting the seventh-seeded Oklahoma State in the process in the first round.
After experiencing a fruitful collegiate career, Gani Lawal was drafted 46th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft. Unfortunately for him, he was used sparingly and he injured his ACL at the end of the season, urging him to take his act overseas.
The McDonald’s All-American has been well-traveled all over the world, having stints in countries like Poland, China, France, Italy, Turkey, and Argentina. He last played for Japanese club Shiga Lakestars in the B-League, alongside fellow journeymen Henry Walker and Allen Durham.
With the team relying on guys like Reynel Hugnatan, Ranidel De Ocampo, Cliff Hodge, and Bryan Faundo for the longest time, a guy like Lawal may be what the doctor ordered for them.
His combination of hustle, defensive acumen, and interior finishing would be a perfect complement to their fast-paced attack on both ends of the floor.
He may be only 6-foot-9 and is not an adept post player, but he can make that all up with his high vertical jump and agility as a big man.
Lawal has been with the Orangemen for about a week now, and he admits to liking his new team.
"We got a group of good guys in the team that like to play the game the right way. And everybody's kind of a free spirit – we like to laugh and joke," he said.
"I already know that I like being here even outside of the basketball standpoint."
"A couple of my teammates have already put me on some nice restaurants," Lawal added with a smile.
Previous Meralco imports have brought world-class talent to the Philippine hardwood and have raised the level of play among locals. The 30-year old Gani Lawal will be no different.
After playing only 17.3 minutes per game in his freshman year at Georgia Tech, the athletic forward saw his minutes and numbers go on an upward trend in his sophomore and junior seasons.
With norms of 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds in his third year, he led the team in field goal percentage and blocked shots. The Nigerian American also helped in bringing Georgia Tech to the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, even upsetting the seventh-seeded Oklahoma State in the process in the first round.
After experiencing a fruitful collegiate career, Gani Lawal was drafted 46th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft. Unfortunately for him, he was used sparingly and he injured his ACL at the end of the season, urging him to take his act overseas.
The McDonald’s All-American has been well-traveled all over the world, having stints in countries like Poland, China, France, Italy, Turkey, and Argentina. He last played for Japanese club Shiga Lakestars in the B-League, alongside fellow journeymen Henry Walker and Allen Durham.
With the team relying on guys like Reynel Hugnatan, Ranidel De Ocampo, Cliff Hodge, and Bryan Faundo for the longest time, a guy like Lawal may be what the doctor ordered for them.
His combination of hustle, defensive acumen, and interior finishing would be a perfect complement to their fast-paced attack on both ends of the floor.
He may be only 6-foot-9 and is not an adept post player, but he can make that all up with his high vertical jump and agility as a big man.
Lawal has been with the Orangemen for about a week now, and he admits to liking his new team.
"We got a group of good guys in the team that like to play the game the right way. And everybody's kind of a free spirit – we like to laugh and joke," he said.
"I already know that I like being here even outside of the basketball standpoint."
"A couple of my teammates have already put me on some nice restaurants," Lawal added with a smile.
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