SMB lets go of Boone for Jones

Josh Boone of San Miguel (light) vs Greg Slaughter and Jay-r Reyes of Ginebra (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — This Kevin Jones must be very, very good.

San Miguel Beer Monday put Jones on the active roster and ditched hard-working Josh Boone, the man chiefly responsible for the Beermen’s first two victories in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup that were carved out even with cornerstone June Mar Fajardo still on the injury list.

Jones, listed as 6-foot-8, bounced around in the NBA and NBA D-League after ending an impressive collegiate career at West Virginia, where he led the Big East in scoring with a shade under 20 points and 10.9 rebounds in 33 games in his senior year in 2012.

Still, those numbers weren’t enough to convince NBA teams to draft him that year and he ended up signing short-term contracts with the rebuilding Cleveland Cavaliers while being recalled to the D-League with the Canton Charge several times.

Boone, who had a four-year NBA stint, including one full season as starter for the New Jersey Nets, didn’t do bad in his only two PBA games, averaging 25 points and close to 20 rebounds in plugging the hole left by Fajardo.

Boone made a hard pitch for his spot on the squad on Sunday night, scattering 32 points that went with 21 rebounds in a 112-96 ripping of Barangay Ginebra. However, after Jones’ contract had been bought out, the Beermen will be parading the scoring demon in their next game.

Fajardo twisted an ankle in practice and has sat out the first two San Miguel games.

He is expected to make his first appearance in the conference on Friday against Talk ‘N Text.

Manuel for Ramos

Meanwhile, Air21 and Alaska came to terms for a one-on-one deal that sent Vic Manuel to the Aces in exchange for original Gilas Pilipinas member Aldrech Ramos.

The deal was expected to be finalized and approved by the Office of the Commissioner Monday in time for Manuel, a blue-collar forward, to join the Aces in their match against Meralco Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ramos, meanwhile, has never really blossomed according to his potential, playing a reserve’s role in his first two seasons in the league despite being a highly regarded collegiate talent with Far Eastern University.