Published November 24, 2019, 8:30 AM By Jonas Terrado

TNT KaTropa’s KJ McDaniels emerged as a runaway leader among a talented crop of foreigners vying for Best Import honors after the elimination round of the PBA Governors’ Cup.

TNT KaTropa import KJ McDaniels is the runaway leader in the Best Import derby. (MB photo | Rio Deluvio)

McDaniels tallied 62.1 Statistical Points to gain a wide advantage over NorthPort’s Michael Qualls, two-time Best Import Allen Durham of Meralco, Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and NLEX’s Manny Harris.

The former NBA player with the Houston Rockets averaged 37.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 3.5 blocks to lead the KaTropa to a third seed and the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals with an 8-3 record.

Qualls, who replaced Mychal Ammons halfway into the elims, is a distant second with 56.6 SPs after helping NorthPort secure a place in the quarterfinals by winning its last two games.

He posted 33.6 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks in five games.

Durham showed why he’s still one of the league’s premier imports despite the arrival of high-caliber counterparts, producing 29.6 points, 14.6 rebounds and 6.3 assists as the Bolts placed second also at 8-3.

Brownlee had 27.9 points, 13.4 rebounds and 8.0 assists highlighted by four triple-doubles, giving Ginebra a twice-to-beat incentive.

Harris powered NLEX to the top seed with an 8-3 mark with averages of 32.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 3.0 steals.

Former San Miguel Beer import Dez Wells could have made it a two-way race with McDaniels after posting 37.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists before going down with an ankle injury and subsequently leaving the country in the aftermath of a fight that marred a recent practice.

Tags: 2019 PBA Governors' Cup , Allen Durham , Justin Brownlee , KJ McDaniels , Manny Harris , Michael Qualls , PBA Best Import award