ALLAN THE MAN

NO less than the leadership of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and a prominent lawmaker who’s been an ardent supporter of the sport are backing national coach Chot Reyes if he decides to have either Michael Dunigan or Denzel Bowles as Gilas' next naturalized player.

SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan said he’s leaving it all up to Reyes on who he has in mind as candidate for naturalization, a move Antipolo congressman Robbie Puno said he’ll definitely push again at the House of Representative.

Former PBA import Denzel Bowles, who led the B-MEG Llamados (now San Mig Coffee Mixers) to the Commissioner’s Cup title last season, will be back in Asia to suit up for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the Chinese Basketball Association.

Bowles posted on his Twitter account that he is in China to play hoops, but did not specify any team. But basketball reference site Asia-Basket.com lists him on the Zhejiang roster.

B-MEG coach Tim Cone seemed like a proud father when he heard news about former Llamados’ import Denzel Bowles’ impressive showing in his NBA Summer League debut with the New Orleans Hornets.

“The B-MEG team and the entire SMC organization is so proud of him,” Cone told InterAKTV. “He will always be welcome to our B-MEG family, but I would be happier to see him fulfill his dream of playing in the NBA.”

But Cone still watched Bowles’ performance with a coach’s eye, and had some pointers for his former ward, who won Best Import in the Commissioner’s Cup and led the Llamados to the title.

“He still needs to improve his defense and has to get up and down the court quickly. But Denzel is learning and continuously improving. I’m so proud of what he has achieved,” said Cone.

Other members of the Llamados tweeted words of encouragement for their former teammate.

JC Intal (@jcintal7) :   @Denzel_Bowles congrats, big D! I feel proud watching you this morning. Great job!