By JONAS TERRADO
The San Miguel Beermen are searching for answers after splitting the first four games of the PBA Governors’ Cup, and one of them could mean replacing import Arizona Reid.
An unnamed source said San Miguel management is mulling at replacing the dreadlocks-wearing Reid, who is averaging 21.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.5 steals and 3.0 blocks.
Reid, however, is nursing an injured ankle sustained against Columbian Dyip last Friday.
Reid scored 13 points on 6-of-21 shooting Sunday as the Beermen fell 120-112 to defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in their first meeting since the Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
San Miguel coach Leo Austria, his staff, team governor Robert Non and team manager Gee Abanilla spent almost two hours inside the locker room after the game, with the import situation perhaps being one of the things discussed.
The Beermen are certainly in a struggle searching for ways to regain their old form, especially with star center June Mar Fajardo still out with an injured right shin.
Fajardo is expected to be back in late-October after being diagnosed last month.
“Sana makabalik na si June Mar,” lamented Beermen forward Arwind Santos, who sees Fajardo as a game-changer for the Beermen.
Shooter Marcio Lassiter was also out against Ginebra due to an eye infection, but is expected to be back for Sunday’s match with Magnolia at the Big Dome.
Rookie Christian Standhardinger has provided a few positives for the Beermen despite the inconsistencies, averaging a team-best 25.5 points on 74-percent shooting with 9.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals.
SMB’s next three games are against teams with winning records in Magnolia (2-1), Alaska (3-1) on Oct. 6 and Phoenix (5-1) on Oct. 12.
The Beermen may very well play those matches with a new import in place.
