By james art 31 October 2024 | 12:00 in the morning
MANILA, Philippines — PBA fans have seen the last of one of the most dominant import players in recent years, Meralco’s Alan Durham.
Durham, No. 2 along with Ginebra rival Justin Brownlee in the league’s all-time top import awards with three behind the late Bobby Parks Sr.’s seven trophies, is retiring from pro ball at age 36.
“I’ve been through so many wars with AD. A brother, a warrior, a true professional. He will always be a part of our Bolts family,” Meralco coach Luigi Trillo wrote on social media in tribute to Durham, who was sent out by the Bolts organization that night.
The 6-foot-6 Durham first burst onto the PBA scene in 2014 for a brief stint as a replacement for import Barako Bull.
But with the Bolts camp, he really made waves.
The hulking forward helped Meralco reach the finals in their first partnership in the 2016 Governors’ Cup, which actually started his rivalry with Brownlee. While Durham won their first ever Best Import accolade, Brownlee and the Gin Kings beat AD and the Bolts to the coveted tiara.
The Durham-led Meralco team battled Ginebra for the Governors’ Cup crown two more times in 2017 and 2019, again settling for the bridesmaid honors each time. However, Durham would take home the award named after Parks on both occasions.
From 2020 to early 2024, AD qualified for the Japan B. League, where he helped the Ryukyu Golden Kings win the 2023 title and earned Finals MVP honors.
After his stint with the Ryukyu, Durham rejoined his Meralco brothers, fresh off a Philippine Cup clincher, for another Governors Cup appearance. In this recent collaboration, the Bolts posted a 7-3 record for No. 2 in Group A. They faced Brownlee and Co. in a rivalry matchup in the quarterfinals, but were swept in three.
Durham then suited up for the Bolts in their first two East Asian Super League (EASL) assignments. They beat the Macau Black Bears on opening night at the MOA Arena, 97-85, before dropping a 74-77 loss to the Golden Kings in Okinawa.