ANOTONIO Hester will give at least an inch against almost all his counterparts in the PBA Governors' Cup that fires off Wednesday as the debuting Terrafirma Dyip import has been measured at 6-3 7/8.
NorthPort's Cameron Forte also took his official PBA measurement Wednesday, and he's listed at 6-5 3/8.
Blackwater's Jaylen Bond was the first to take the test among the PBA newcomers, and he cleared the 6-6 limit at 6-5 9/16.
TNT Tropang Giga's McKenzie Moore was to take the tape Thursday and Meralco's Tony Bishop upon the completion of his hotel quarantine Friday.
The seven returnees will no longer be remeasured as per league rule.
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Hester will be among the shortest but could make up with his bulk and his ability to play bigger than his size.
Coach Johnedel Cardel is confident the Miami native can live up to what is expected of him.
"Hester is a complete package. You can see his skillset, very athletic, and an energy guy. I think he can help the team win, and make the quarterfinals," said Cardel said on The Game.
Hester believes he's ready, thanks to tips from good friend and former Terrafirma reinforcement Lester Prosper.
"I learned a lot from Lester Prosper. He kind of put me on game on the style of play out here," Hester said. "There's not just too much of an adjustment. You just got to be ready, that's all."
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Cardel sees Hester in the same mold as Prosper and another former Dyip import in Khapri Alston.
"He's a team player," said Cardel of the former University of Mobile standout. "Ang hinahanap ko kasi yung makakatulong sa locals. Eto yung tipong tutulong, magshe-share ng assists, sa rebounds, sa depensa at sa puntos kapag kailangan."
The team is upbeat with the import that they have, the addition of Alex Cabagnot and the performance that they put in the recent Philippine Cup.
They narrowly missed the all-Filipino quarterfinals just because of an inferior quotient.
Everyone is hoping Hester can fill the gap and provided the extra push needed to make the playoffs this time. (SB)
