Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Joshua Smith is set to return for TNT in time for its next game against Columbian on June 1.
The 6-foot-9 Smith, who serves as a replacement import for Jeremy Tyler, is scheduled to be in the country on Friday, as per team manager Virgil Villavicencio.
The hulking Smith is coming off a stint in Japan that kept him unavailable for the KaTropa, who had to play all-Filipino against Blackwater on Friday night.
READ: PBA: No import, no problem as TNT clobbers Blackwater
TNT had already sent Tyler home prior to its duel vs Blackwater after averaging pedestrian numbers of 12.3 points and 13.3 rebounds through three games.
The KaTropa actually played much better minus Tyler and it showed in a 120-101 whipping of the Elite, who had Jarrid Famous in tow.
The 26-year-old Smith took TNT to the finals in last year’s Commissioner’s Cup before losing to San Miguel Beer in six games.
KaTropa forward Troy Rosario, who stepped up in the blowout win over the Elite with 17 points and 11 rebounds, is already looking forward to the team’s reunion with Smith, who carried his team to a couple of wins away from the title despite dealing with injuries.
“I’m hoping that he’ll be able to take us to the finals again and hopefully he stays healthy this time.”