Orlando Johnson vows to give his all for Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines – After a lengthy search with many possible options popping up, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has finally found an import for the 2015 PBA Governors’ Cup by bringing in former Indiana Pacer and Sacramento King Orlando Johnson. 

Johnson is currently on a plane en route to Manila, where he will wear the uniform of the most popular team in the PBA. 

Johnson played sparingly for Indiana and Sacramento in the NBA from 2012-2014, averaging 3.2 points and 1.7 rebounds a contest in 96 career games. But he did display his potential while a standout for UC Santa Barbara in college, putting up 19.7 points (on 45% FG shooting and 43% shooting from downtown) to go with 5.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists a game.

The 6-foot-5, 26-year-old Johnson also recently completed a stint with the Austin Spurs in the NBA Developmental League, where he averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 34.7 minutes per game.

Johnson talked to Rappler before leaving for the Philippines and expressed his excitement to play for Barangay Ginebra. 

“I’m very excited always a blessing and honor to keep playing the game I love,” Johnson said.

“And to be on the most popular team in the PBA, I want to give it my all and win.”

The brand of physicality in the PBA is well-known, with some even believing that the physical play of basketball in the Philippines is more severe than that of the NBA.

Johnson is aware of it, but looks forward to the challenge.

“I have heard of the physicality and look forward to bringing my toughness out there and physical presence,” he said.

Ginebra is coming off another disappointing quarterfinals exit after a heartbreaking defeat to Rain or Shine in March. The last time the franchise made it to the PBA semifinals was back in the 2014 Philippine Cup, where they were defeated in 7 games by the San Mig Coffee Mixers (now the Purefoods Star Hotshots).

Ginebra is under new leadership this coming conference with NCAA champion Frankie Lim taking the reins from Ato Agustin. The team is also expected to have more firepower with the addition of Asian import Sanchir Tungalag from Mongolia. – Rappler.com