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Returning Meralco Bolts import Allen Durham. Photo from Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.

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Allen Durham

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);min-height:13.8px"><span></span><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1722923169273IMG_4150.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Returning Meralco Bolts import Allen Durham. Photo from Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.Returning Meralco Bolts import Allen Durham. Photo from Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Returning Meralco Bolts import Allen Durham. <em>Photo from Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Meralco Bolts will be reinforced by a familiar face once the PBA Season 49 Governors&#x27; Cup opens later this month.</p><p>The reigning Philippine Cup champions will look to extend their glory in the league&#x27;s import-laden conference, and boosting this campaign is former Best Import awardee Allen Durham. </p><p>&quot;They tried to get me last year, but I still had a contract with Okinawa. So after my contract ended, they gave me a call, then I  agreed to come back,&quot; Durham said during the PBA Media Day festivities on Tuesday in Pasay City.</p><p>After his first series of stints with the Bolts which included a number of Finals appearances, Durham went overseas and played in the Japan B.League.</p><p>Durham, who eventually won a championship and a Finals MVP with the Ryukyu Golden Kings with Carl Tamayo even being one of his teammates, then shared that while it wasn&#x27;t planned for him to return to the Philippines, he is glad that he will get the chance to play at ‘home&#x27; once more. </p><p>&quot;Not necessarily [part of my plan]. But now that it came through, I kinda felt like it was the right thing to do, and I&#x27;m happy everything worked out like that. I&#x27;m back here, so I guess I&#x27;m back at home,&quot; shared Durham, while also lauding Meralco&#x27;s All-Filipino title victory against the San Miguel Beermen.</p><p>&quot;I was excited for the guys. I was happy for the guys and watching the games over here and there. I&#x27;m so happy that they got over the hump and now, everybody knows what it takes,&quot; he said. </p><p>Durham also expressed how proud he is of the growth that the players have gained over the years and hailed the development that his fellow Finals MVP Chris Newsome has been showing.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/6/25/newsome-not-trying-to-prove-anything-in-present-gilas-stint-1529">READ: From 13th man to lead guard — Newsome ‘not trying to prove anything&#x27; in present Gilas stint</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/6/16/championship-finals-mvp-a-fulfillment-of-newsomes-promise-to-meralco-2358">READ: Championship and Finals MVP a fulfillment of Chris Newsome&#x27;s promise to Meralco</a></div><p>&quot;I&#x27;m impressed. They&#x27;ve always been hard workers, but to see their development over the years [is great]. Chris Newsome, he&#x27;s my rookie. So seeing from the start to now, the leader that he is, I&#x27;m very proud of him and impressed,&quot; said Durham, who also bared how he connected with the former Ateneo de Manila University standout upon his return here. </p><p>&quot;I just told him that I&#x27;m so proud of his growth throughout the years. He definitely blossomed into a superstar of the PBA. His leadership [is what changed]. He&#x27;s always trained hard. He has always been first to the gym, last to leave the gym, but his leadership, that&#x27;s kind of where he developed over the years,&quot; continued Durham, while also commenting on Newsome&#x27;s stint with Gilas Pilipinas. </p><p>&quot;The highlights that I did see, I&#x27;m impressed. He&#x27;s always been able to compete at the highest level, so I hope for him to be on Gilas for a long stay.&quot;</p><p>But now that the Bolts and Allen have gained valuable experience throughout the recent years, will they finally get over the hump and win a championship in the Governors&#x27; Cup?</p><p>&quot;I mean, obviously, the PBA is very tough. But I think we got better tools so I think we can have a good chance at it,&quot; Durham said, while also briefly rekindling his rivalry with their multiple-time Finals tormentors Justin Brownlee and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.</p><p>&quot;We gotta beat him first. But I&#x27;m excited to play with him. It&#x27;s always a good competition when we go up against those guys,&quot; he said.</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);min-height:13.8px"><span></span><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3065103"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script></span></div>

<p>The Meralco Bolts will be reinforced by a familiar face once the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup opens later this month.</p>

The Meralco Bolts will be reinforced by a familiar face once the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup opens later this month.

PBA: Comebacking Allen Durham heaps praise on Chris Newsome

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PBA: Comebacking Allen Durham heaps praise on Chris Newsome

Romwel Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 06, 2024 02:43 PM PHT

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Updated August 06, 2024 03:04 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

ABSSports

Meralco Bolts

Chris Newsome

Allen Durham

PBA

PBA Season 49

PBA Governors' Cup

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