PBA COMMISSIONER'S CUP | IMPORT WATCH | MARVIN JONES (AND THE ISMAEL ROMERO SITUATION)

MERALCO | MARVIN JONES

LISTED | 7’0 – 220LBS 

YEAR OF BIRTH | 1993

COLLEGE | HIGHLAND CC | KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES | TEXAS SOUTHERN TIGERS

NBA DRAFT | 2017 | UNDRAFTED

So I was planning to make an individual import watch for each import. I figured I might as well do that as a way to get content on my blog. But then I threw that idea out because of the events that sent Ismael Romero back to Puerto Rico, with the possibility of no return.

Now I don't know who ghosted who, but I don't really think a long-distance breakup is that bad. I mean, it's not like there's no backstory here. Romero will play in the conference with the Dubai incident at hand, and it feels like he's not apologetic. Maybe behind the scenes, the parties are able to patch things up. However, this is also an on-air incident.

Much like our politicians—and judging by how anything recorded can serve as evidence years later—famous and important personalities need training on what to say and do in front of the camera. Basically, it's just about being a good person on-cam and off. But then there's the receipt. You just can't do something like that without getting something back in return.

Let me use Renaldo Balkman as an example. After the choking incident, he had some brushes with controversy, but he was never quite the same player we once saw. And I’m saying this because, despite his achievements in the PBA, as well as helping the country in international tournaments, that incident will always creep up in one way or another.

Again, this sucks for Balkman, but what can he do?

So I guess this is why replacing Romero with Marvin Jones is important. At least the threat of having an untoward incident won’t be there. And because Jones has rarely seen action in Asia, there is a semblance of mystery in his game.

As per online records, Jones played college ball for the Texas Southern Tigers and was part of the Bilbao Basket squad that won the 2025 FIBA Europe Cup alongside former Phoenix and Miami guard Zoran Dragić (not to be confused with his brother, Goran).

Yes, just like most big men on the list, he will probably play inside the shaded area and is expected to carom the boards like a boss.

I mean, for as long as Asian leagues employ big men who play more like Patrick Ewing rather than Giannis Antetokounmpo, then you can expect guys like June Mar Fajardo to keep playing the way they’re built to play.

And again, this is why I don’t get why people are pissed that JMF is still with Gilas Pilipinas. The dude would probably have had a different skill set if he were still in his early 20s today, but I doubt he could ever be as dominant in the PBA with that kind of build.

Anyway, that’s a topic for another day.