San Miguel Beermen’s Marcio Lassiter launches a shot against NLEX Road Warriors’ Myke Henry during their PBA Governors’ Cup game. –PBA IMAGES
Despite expressing optimism that Sheldon Mac would perform better following a so-so debut, San Miguel Beer decided to give the ex-NBA player the pink slip anyway and will bring back Jordan Adams for Friday’s PBA Governors’ Cup game against Phoenix.
Team manager Gee Abanilla confirmed Adams’ return for the 5 p.m. meeting at Ninoy Aquino Stadium after Mac put up 16 points, one rebound, one assist, one steal and one block in the 119-114 win over the NLEX Road Warriors.
San Miguel fans were puzzled with how Mac performed, given that Adams was coming off a 41-point performance in the thrilling victory over previously unbeaten Group B leader Rain or Shine last week.
Coach Jorge Gallent did offer a patient approach to Mac, who played for the Washington Wizards from 2016 to 2018.
“He just arrived two to three days ago. He still doesn’t know who the shooter is [or] who’s the one penetrating,” Gallent said. “Once he gets to know them, he’ll be fluid.”
Allowed by rules
Mac, however, will no longer get a chance to know his now ex-Beermen teammates, with Adams set to return.
PBA rules allow Adams to suit up once more since he was listed as the original import before the start of the conference.
“He [initially took the news of him being replaced by Mac] very professionally,” said Gallent. “He reminded me of Ivan Aska [in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup which San Miguel won]. When we brought Bennie Boatwright and we told Ivan about it, he played his heart out in his last two games. And the rest was history.”
The quick U-turn San Miguel made is the latest among the recent import changes in the league, with NLEX set to parade Dequan Jones for Tuesday’s game against Rain or Shine as Myke Henry’s replacement.
Jones is already in town and actually watched NLEX’s defeat to San Miguel to meet his new team. His entry comes as the Road Warriors are in the midst of a three-game skid and now tied for fourth with the Blackwater Bossing in the group at 3-4.
Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra square off in the second game at 7:30 p.m. in a major battle pitting Group B’s two best teams.
Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao is bracing for a tougher Gin Kings side despite owning bragging rights for their 73-64 win in an out-of-town game last Aug. 24 in Candon, Ilocos Sur.