Import change coming up?

There is talk that a former PBA import may be coming back to reinforce a team in the Commissioner’s Cup but whom will he replace? Charles Rhodes is rumored to be in the wait list. Since his last appearance with San Miguel Beer in 2019, Rhodes has kept busy playing in Japan, United Arab Emirates. Dominican Republic, Colombia and Tunisia.

In 2017, he was named Best Import and led the Beermen to the championship. In 2019, Rhodes returned to San Miguel but was sacked after a poor 2-5 start and replaced by Chris McCullough who went on to lead the team to the throne. Rhodes, 37, has a lot of experience but will he be able to keep up with the league’s younger imports?

So far, no import has been sacked this conference although two players came and left before hostilities began. San Miguel brought in Thomas Robinson but after two weeks, begged off with a back injury and Diamond Stone was signed to start the Beermen’s campaign. Daniel Ochefu was Rain or Shine’s original import but coach Yeng Guiao let him go before the conference started and Steve Taylor got the nod instead.

With June Mar Fajardo out for four to six weeks to recover from throat surgery, San Miguel is evaluating whether Stone will be able to hold the fort at the slot or not. Stone was recruited as a complementary player for Fajardo but with The Kraken sidelined, he’ll be tasked to do a lot more than patrol the perimeter. Coach Leo Austria has admitted it’s been difficult to distribute minutes among his frontliners and former starter Rodney Brondial is a prime casualty. Brondial hasn’t played a game this conference although he’s ready to go. Fajardo, Stone, Mo Tautuaa and Vic Manuel shared the minutes in San Miguel’s first two games. Now that Fajardo is gone, the rotation will move up to include Brondial. Who will start at center? Tautuaa or Stone? If Stone isn’t cut out to be a low-post banger and rim protector, will Tautuaa fit the bill?

San Miguel has been beset by injuries lately. Terrence Romeo sat out the previous conference and continues to rehab from a back injury. The good news is Romeo is getting stronger and hopes to return on the court in time for the playoffs. Then, Robinson was diagnosed with a disc bulge in his tailbone, causing back spasms. He joined only four practices and despite promising to be in shape for San Miguel’s conference debut last Oct. 5, couldn’t be relieved of the pain down his spine. Austria admitted staying touch with former import Chris McCullough who’s about three months short of fully recovering from an ACL operation. Rhodes isn’t a candidate for San Miguel.

Bay Area actually changed its import but it was a predetermined adjustment as the Dragons were allowed as a guest squad to start Myles Powell for the first four games then move in Andrew Nicholson for the next four. Coach Brian Goorjian will decide between Powell and Nicholson whom to play starting the ninth contest. San Miguel will face Bay Area tonight and test how Stone will measure up with Fajardo gone.