Jeffers is doing his job, and Ginebra looks better than ever

Ginebra 103 – Meralco 90

The landscape of imports has changed throughout the years. Gone are the days where teams would automatically just recruit the biggest, baddest most dominant imports. The PBA is so far removed from when imports needed to score 105 points to help their team win.

Right now, the league is chock-full of local talent. Every team is loaded with players who can carry the scoring load. Some teams even have a dominant big man, rendering the big hulking imports of the past obsolete.

Nowadays the key to selecting imports is all about fit. The best imports in the league are the players that can marry their own personal talents to what the rest of the team already has. It’s all about finding the import that will elevate your team, not dominate the competition.

When I first heard of Othyus Jeffers as Ginebra’s import, I was worried. I thought he was a high-flying scorer similar to Talk ‘N Text’s import Tony Mitchell a few years ago.

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I was so wrong. Jeffers has seamlessly fit into the blue-collar system and mindset that Coach Tim Cone has instilled in Ginebra. He came in and filled the holes in the team.

Ginebra desperately needed help on the wings entering this conference. Mark Caguioa is in the twilight of his career and isn’t as explosive as he used to be. Chris Ellis is a gifted athlete but he’s still a work in progress. Jeffers has stepped into the small forward role and has done everything to help Ginebra win.

The former Minnesota Timberwolf has been Ginebra’s best defender. He’s always blanketing the best player of the other team. He’s got the strength to battle with any of the imports in the league right now and the athleticism to keep up with the faster local players.



Jeffers is also a gifted passer. Having him to initiate the offense has helped unlock the scoring of the locals like LA Tenorio, Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar and Caguioa. When the ball is with him on the wing, he’s not looking to shoot like other imports. Instead, he’s looking for cutters and wide-open shooters beyond the three-point line.

Against the league-leading Bolts, Jeffers put together a complete performance to help black out Meralco. He scored 11 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out nine assists, to go with his always-stellar defense. His highlight reel included passes to a cutting Caguiao and a flashing Slaughter, both for buckets.

One particular play in the game encapsulated what Jeffers means to Ginebra.
Ginebra was leading 96-80 with less than four minutes left in the game. No one would have blamed Jeffers if he just played at a leisurely pace from then on. But no. Jeffers grabbed an offensive rebound off a Caguioa miss and was immediately surrounded by three Bolts. He pumped faked thrice before rising up from the scrum for a put-back.

That’s what Jeffers really brings to the team. He’s one of the most hard-working players on the court at all times. He never takes a break and always makes the right play.
Jeffers brings a toughness and intensity that would put the Ginebra locals to shame if they didn’t match it.

And as such, his impact on the team goes way beyond the numbers. Jeffers works for stat, and that style of play has visibly rubbed off on the rest of the team.

The last time Ginebra had an import that worked this hard was Vernon Macklin. Back then, the team made the Finals thanks to the incredible effort of their big man. This conference, Ginebra has an even more talented roster, a legendary coach and Jeffers, who is as tireless as Macklin. Who knows how far Ginebra will go?

CREDIT:http://www.slamonlineph.com/jeffers-is-doing-his-job-and-ginebra-looks-better-than-ever/