CHICAGO - Poor decisions are usually commonplace at Terrafirma where the team's trade last July led to an inglorious 1-9 record and quick exit in the ongoing PBA 49th Season Governors' Cup.
With yet another import change, the third this month and fourth overall in 41 days, it seems like Magnolia is catching up with the Dyip in the race for the most unwise choices made.
Hemorrhaging imports at a rate of one for every 10 days, the chicken giant has brought in Jabari Bird to replace Rayvonte Rice, who subbed for the injured Shabazz Muhammad, who was tapped to replace Glenn Robinson III.
Following 'Keeping up with the Kardashians' and 'Star Wars' seems to be a lot easier than keeping track of Magnolia imports these days.
Oh my, the Hotshots are going through a mighty cold spell.
Their troubles began, I am told, on September 6 when coach Chito Victolero allegedly went to Robinson's hotel to inform him that he was being released.
CUTTING GR3 LED TO ALL THE MAYHEM.
The reason given, sources said, was because "Shabazz played here previously and had a few big games and they heard he was free."
Although disappointed, GR3 chose not to suddenly become an arsonist and burn bridges.
Having gone through a course at Harvard Business School, GR3 understood the business of basketball, bit the bullet, and went on his merry way.
Since the divorce, Magnolia has been left in shambles. Their wounds, mostly self-inflicted.
Before letting go of GR3, the Hotshots hadn't secured Muhammad's FIBA Letter of Clearance, forcing the team to play import-less in an 82-74 loss to Meralco last September 7 in Davao.
RAYVONTE RICE HAD NO CHANCE TO COOK.
Ten days later, Shabazz got hurt and Magnolia dispatched Rice, a 6-foot-4 guard. He played two games in five days since arriving in Manila last Saturday,
Not his fault, what with jet lag and the challenges of adapting to a new basketball ecosystem.
With Rice gone, Bird comes flying in.
For the sake of Magnolia fans' sanity. I'm rooting for a safe landing. But don't bet on it.
Bird will face the same challenges as Rice did, racing against time and cramming to learn the Magnolia playbook.
According to a SPIN.ph report by Gerry Ramos, "Bird will be measured hours before Game 2." That means tomorrow - and then he will face one of the most entrenched imports this conference: Rain or Shine's Aaron Fuller.
READ: Magnolia brings in fourth Govs' Cup import in Jabari Bird
Good luck with that.
Often, the attempt to cover up for mistakes is worse than the initial mistake itself. And that's because panic and desperation tend to enter the equation.
The Hotshots should have kept GR3. But hey, it's their circus and we're all just here for the laughs.
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