SAN Miguel may have already found a keeper of an import in George King.
After a forgettable campaign in the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup that saw them try out three imports and play a game without one, the Beermen signed one of the most prolific imports in the PBA in recent memory after his stint with Blackwater last season.
San Miguel coach Leo Austria looks forward to the former University of Colorado product getting acclimated with the team with two weeks remaining before the opening of the 50th Season Governors’ Cup.
READ New SMB boys Ahanmisi, King impress in tune-up vs. Terrafirma
“So far, so good,” said Austria of King on Friday after San Miguel played a tune-up game against Terrafirma. “This is his third day in practice. Everybody was positive and accommodating. We know na he can score.”
The Commissioner’s Cup saw the Beermen go through a revolving door of imports from Marcus Lee to Justin Patton, who later went AWOL and forced San Miguel to play without a reinforcement in their game against Magnolia last April 12.
The Beermen later brought back Bennie Boatwright, who led the team to a Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup title but couldn't save the Beermen from the poort start. SMB finished No. 6 in the elims before falling to Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals.
During his stint with Blackwater, King took the league by storm after coming in as a replacement for Ricky Ledo. He scored 64 points in a September 23, 2024 game against Rain or Shine, and led the Bossing to a 5-5 win-loss record that came just short of a spot in the quarterfinals.
Even though he is listed at 6-foot-6, King returned to Blackwater for the next conference in a Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup with no height restrictions for imports. But the Bossing only finished 11th with a 3-9 win-loss record.
While he doesn’t rule out an import change this conference, Austria is optimistic that the chances of the Beermen replacing King is slim to none based on the import's credentials and the way he played against the Bossing last season.
“Every conference, that’s what we want to have. We don’t want to change imports,” Austria said. "Of course, we are after a win. If he is not helpful, there’s always a possibility (to change import), and any team naman. What we are thinking is the W. It’s not only my decision. It’s a collective decision if we want to change imports.”
“But with the way he plays, we know him before na talagang he can score. All we have to do is to support him regarding sa defense,” said Austria.
While King will bring the offense, Austria will be leaning heavily on the locals for defense as the Beermen look to bounce back from the Commissioner’s Cup letdown.
“Most of the time, the scorer doesn’t really work hard on defense because what’s important is his offense. That’s the time that the locals will have to [provide] support,” said Austria.
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