SMB mulls import change

Renaldo Balkman in town

MANILA, Philippines — Renaldo Balkman has flown in from the US Sunday and may make his PBA comeback with his old team San Miguel Beer versus Alaska Milk in a road game in Dumaguete Saturday.

After a second straight loss versus Rain or Shine Sunday, the SMB coaching staff evaluated things and reached a consensus to change import. The final decision will be made in a meeting with the team management today.

“We’re not impressed (with Troy Gillenwater) and there’s a great possibility of a change,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “We took him in as he’s a good perimeter shooting. Ang problema mukhang yun lang ang gustong gawin (The problem is he seemed not keen on taking on other roles).”

San Miguel can now dispense with Gillenwater as both Balkman and Charles Rhodes are now available.

Balkman, fresh from powering San Miguel Alab Pilipinas to the ABL championship, could well be the first option as he’s now in town.

Austria, however, said Rhodes is also free to fly in anytime now.

“Both are fitted to our team. We’ll see,” said Austria.

The Beermen are determined to check their skid to be able to contend for the Top Two which rewards a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Before this tourney, the Beermen had never got to a 0-2 start in a conference in the last three years.

The Beermen dropped an 85-93 loss to the Meralco Bolts Wednesday before suffering a 119-123 defeat in overtime against the E-Painters Sunday.