Phoenix has tapped Marcellus Earlington as a replacement import for BJ Johnson ahead of next week’s resumption of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Coach Charles Tiu said Earlington arrived last week to take the place of Johnson, who left the Fuel Masters during the break to join Russian club Parma BC.
Earlington saw action when the Fuel Masters lost to Mongolian side Omni Erdenet Miners, 83-80, in Wednesday’s tune-up game at Activate Hoop Arena in Mandaluyong City.
‘We just saw him online [and we feel like he] plays good basketball. He’s alright,’ Tiu said. ‘Hopefully, he can get into better shape and he gets integrated with us quickly.
The 26-year-old Earlington played for St. John’s University and University of San Diego in the US NCAA Division I before having professional stints in Israel and Italy.
Earlington played high school basketball at Don Bosco Preparatory School in New Jersey where he was a teammate of Fil-Am NBA player Ron Harper Jr. of the Boston Celtics.
Tiu said Earlington has a different style compared to Johnson, which he showed during the exhibition contest with the Miners.
‘BJ is a scorer and a winger. I really like a scorer and we did see that during his stint here,’ said the Phoenix mentor. ‘Earlington is more of an inside presence, and hopefully he can give that to us.’