Unfinished business for Reid

MANILA, Philippines - Rain Or Shine import Arizona Reid will do whatever it takes to win a championship for the Elasto Painters franchise because the former High Point University star said he owes it to the team to take care of unfinished business.

Reid was on the Painters squad that made it to the semifinals in the 2011 and 2013 Governors Cup but fell short of advancing. He was named Best Import in the 2011 edition and last Thursday, took the same award. Reid said while he’s honored by the recognition, his goal is to bring a title to Rain Or Shine – that’s the bottom line.

“It’s personal,” said Reid. “I love my team. I’ll do what coach Yeng (Guiao) wants me to do – score, rebound, play defense, anything. If ever I go to war, I’d want this team on my side from the bosses in the head office down to the ball boys. I’ve never played for anyone quite like coach Yeng. He’s different. I haven’t seen a coach who does what he does – give everybody a chance to start, a chance to contribute. I’ll do anything for coach Yeng because he believes in me. After this conference, I hope to be back next year if Rain Or Shine still wants me.”

Reid said he brought his girlfriend over last season but this time, she stayed home in South Carolina. “I didn’t want any distractions,” he said. “I came here for a reason, that’s to win a championship. Besides, she’s due to give birth any day now, our son whom we’ll name Arizona IV. I’m Arizona III. Why Arizona? I don’t know, it’s different. I’ve signed to play in Belgium when I leave Manila and I’m planning to bring my family with me, including my three-year-old daughter.”

Reid said he had tryouts with the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Bobcats and Utah Jazz but couldn’t break the barrier in the NBA. Instead, he went overseas and played all over the world, making stops in Italy, Switzerland, Finland, Australia, Lebanon, Germany, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia.

“The PBA is special,” he said. “It’s a tough, competitive league and it’s extremely physical. It’s like the UFC. I call it the Bangers’ Ball. But I enjoy it. In Europe, you practice twice a day on weekdays then play a game on a Saturday or Sunday. I prefer playing games more often like in the PBA. I’m all about hard work. On the back of my Rain Or Shine T-shirt is what I call myself Mr. Hard Work. I went to a Filipino tattoo artist and had the words ‘hard work’ and ‘dedication’ tattooed on my left bicep.”

Reid, 28, said he’s proud of earning a degree in Recreational Management at High Point. “My mom always told me that basketball isn’t forever, that I had to go to school for a fall back,” he said. “So I made sure I finished college. My plan is when I’m done playing, to work with kids, particularly autistic kids or those with disabilities. I love kids and I’d like to give back to kids who aren’t as lucky as others.”

As for the dreadlocks he wears, Reid said he’s sported the look since his college days. “I used to wear braids then I went to dreadlocks, a bit like Bob Marley’s,” he said. “I haven’t had a complete hair cut in over 10 years. I trim the edges of my hair because if I don’t, the dreadlocks will go down to my waist. When I’m 30, I’ll cut my hair and try another look.”

Reid said he knew all along the Finals between Rain Or Shine and San Mig Coffee would go down to the wire. “As far as I’m concerned, we didn’t lose Game 1,” he said. “We should’ve won it. (Marqus) Blakely is one of the top three imports in the league. I rate him tied for second with Henry Walker. You know who’s first. There’s nothing personal between Blakely and me. In the Finals, we don’t really defend each other that much, mostly in the fourth quarter. I just want to win as badly as he does.”

Reid said he’s never been asked to play for a country as a naturalized import. “Would I do it?” he continued. “Of course, I would. But I’m not seven feet tall so I probably won’t be asked. I wouldn’t mind being naturalized to play for a country.”

In Game 2 last Thursday, Reid started out flat and scored only two points in the first half. Fans thought he was jinxed by the Best Import award. In the third period, Reid erupted for 13 points. He wound up with 29 points, six on two treys in overtime, as Rain Or Shine hacked out an 89-87 decision to knot the best-of-five Finals at a win apiece. Reid also compiled 17 rebounds and four assists in 45 minutes. There was no question as to who was the Best Player of the Game as there is no question as to who is the Best Import of the Conference.