PBA: Alaska taps LeBron's ex-high school teammate as Governors' Cup import

Alaska signed up veteran journeyman Romeo Travis as the Aces' import for the Governors' Cup, coach Alex Compton confirmed to GMA News Online via text message on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old power forward, who played alongside NBA superstar LeBron James at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, is expected to bring his experience to the Aces. After his collegiate career at University of Akron, Travis has suited up in leagues in Spain, Germany, Israel, Croatia, Ukraine, and Russia.

Travis is yet to be measured officially by the PBA, but Compton is confident he will comfortably satisfy the 6-foot-5 height limit.

In 2012, he led Israel ball club Hapoel Gilboa Galil to a championship in the Balkan International Basketball League under the jurisdiction of FIBA Europe.

Travis' inside presence will reinforce Alaska's frontcourt together with locals Sonny Thoss, Vic Manuel, Calvin Abueva, Nonoy Baclao, and Sam Eman as the Aces campaign for another championship after a runner-up finish in the Philippine Cup.

The Aces suffered an early quarterfinals exit in the mid-season Commissioner's Cup with DJ Covington and Damion James as their imports, but they are hoping that Travis will be a better fit for the team in the season-ending conference.

Teams are allowed to hire an additional Asian import with a 6-foot-3 height restriction, but Compton said they have decided to forego the opportunity for the Governors' Cup. -- JST, GMA News