Can Storey take Ginebra to new heights?

source: Arman Carandang | tribune.net.ph

With its finals bid shattered by Alaska Milk, Barangay Ginebra starts to do the next logical thing: Build-up for next conference.

And the Gin Kings are doing exactly just that.

According to Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, the team has actually tapped Awvee Storey, a rugged guard who can show court leadership, as the Gin Kings’ import for the 2009-10 PBA Fiesta Conference, which gets underway on March 20.

The 31-year-old Storey, who stands 6-foot-6, is a product of the University of Illinois who had brief stints with three teams in the NBA.

Uichico said Storey is expected to arrive from China next Sunday.

It is not clear whether Storey will be used exclusively in the point guard position, especially since Ginebra is already laden with guards.

Storey would be one of the few imports playing for the first time in the Philippines as other teams are said to be keen on bringing back imports for the season-ending tournament.

Defending champion in the reinforced conference is San Miguel Beer, which happens to be in the semifinals of the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup battling a slot for championship against sister team Purefoods.

The Beermen will be backstopped anew by last season’s best import Gabe Freeman.

Rain or Shine is also bringing back its former import in Jai Lewis, while Sta. Lucia Realty is keen on hiring Anthony Johnson.

The Gin Kings were swept by the Aces in the semifinals, 4-0, although they could salvage some measure of pride if they could win the third place against either Purefoods or San Miguel.

Storey was said to be undrafted when he turned pro in 2002, but somehow managed to play for nine games for the New Jersey Nets in 2004, after which he transferred to the Dakota Wizards in the D-League.

One factor giving promise to the Gin Kings is that Storey will be suiting up for the team still in top shape as he will be coming from a Chinese league.

The Gin Kings are seeking to make an impact in the Fiesta Conference which they won two seasons ago with Chris Alexander as their import.