Arizona Reid retires as PBA import after winning only title

Arizona Reid smiles and celebrates with San Miguel teammates after winning PBA Governors’ Cup crown. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.NET

As Arizona Reid lifted the Governors’ Cup trophy and marveled at his only title, he knows he has reached the end of what has been a thick chapter of his playing career as PBA import.

Reid got the storybook ending that he wanted after four stints as import in the Philippines. And after a grueling journey to a championship, the ferocious Reid can finally relax.

“I’m retiring, I’ll be going home and I just want to chill,” Reid said Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum after scoring 33 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the 3-point area to lead the Beermen to a 91-81 win and a four-game sweep over the Alaska Aces.

“It’s great I’m just so happy, it feels good,” Reid said who suited up as Rain or Shine’s reinforcement in 2011, 2013 and 2014. “A lot of people told me I can’t win.”

The 29-year-old Reid also feels “a lot older” with the way he plays – relentless and physical.

There’s no better way to end a his career as import than winning a PBA championship. But for Reid, it would’ve been sweeter had he won a third Best Import of the Conference award.

“The championship is more important, but it could’ve been better with the Best Import,” Reid said with a smile.