San Miguel to debut new import vs ‘team to beat’ Ginebra

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

San Miguel Beer head coach Leo Austria said his new import Terrence Watson will make his debut against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday.

Austria said Watson, who was tapped to replace Terik Bridgeman, arrived in Manila Wednesday morning.

“The new import is already here. We was just not able to play because he still needs to accomplish necessary papers,” he said after the Beermen snapped a two-game slide with a 103-96 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

READ: PBA: San Miguel snaps skid, downs Rain or Shine

“But definitely, we will have a new import next game.”

The Beermen made an eyebrow-raising move when they sent Wendell McKines home and took flak when Bridgeman underperformed, scoring only two points in his PBA debut in a loss to Alaska Saturday.

Austria defended the team’s change of import. He said the team wanted an import who can be a complementary piece to reigning three-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.

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“What we’re thinking is to have a player who can matchup with the import of other teams like Justin Brownlee. What we want is somebody who an attack in the middle, shoot from the outside and who can bring down the ball. At least not a one-dimensional player,” he said.

“Wendell is a good import, but he and June Mar play almost the same position. June Mar is already healthy that’s why want someone who can complement him, we want someone who can shoot from the perimeter,” he added.

Austria expects war against Gin Kings, who he believes as this conference’s favorites.

“Ginebra is playing really well and for me, they are the team to beat because of the arrival of Greg Slaughter.”