San Miguel Beer import Arizona Reid may hold no grudge on former team Rain or Shine but he is also in no mood to be sentimental as the two start their best-of-five semifinal series in the PBA Governors’ Cup tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Reid played three seasons for the Elasto Painters, winning the Best Import award twice while leading them to the finals of last year’s Governors’ Cup finals, before being allowed to join the Beermen during the Commissioner’s Cup.
While he still values his time with Rain or Shine, Reid said that he’s focused on the task at hand.
“Nothing changes, they’re just like any other team to me,” Reid said after SMB posted a 102-86 victory over Meralco in Monday’s do-or-die quarterfinals game at the Big Dome.
“They were great to me for three years and I appreciate everything they’ve done. I’m thankful to be in this situation, I’m thankful to them for allowing me to play for San Miguel Beer.”
The 29-year-old, dreadlocks-wearing Reid has won all two meetings against his former team, beginning in the Commissioner’s Cup when tensions broke out between both sides.
Reid erupted for 41 points in SMB’s 129-114 win on March 13, but not after he and ROS Coach Yeng Guiao exchanged words with over two minutes to play in the contest.
Guiao was ejected and fined P22,400 by PBA Commissioner Chito Salud for nudging Reid, who was accused of hurling profanities at the Rain or Shine bench.
This conference, Reid torched ROS anew for 36 points while grabbing 11 rebounds in a 104-91 victory on May 12.
Despite holding a perfect record against the Painters entering the semis, Reid is expecting things to be different.
“This is the playoffs, this is different. Meralco was 2-0, but we won the most important game to make the semis,” said Reid, who is averaging 27 points and 11 rebounds this conference.