THE decision to replace Jordan Adams with Sheldon Mac despite his solid showing for San Miguel in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup was a tactical one, according to coach Jorge Gallent.
Realizing that most of the top imports this conference like Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson of TNT are guards, Gallent said the team felt it would be better, match-up wise, to let go of Adams, who mostly has skills of a big.
“We were thinking that Rondae is a guard. Brownlee is a guard. We wanted to try import-to-import (on defense) because we were having a hard time when Jordan was getting Brownlee,” said Gallent after a 119-114 win over NLEX on Wednesday night.
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Gallent was referring to SMB’s August 27 game against Barangay Ginebra where Brownlee hit 51 points, just two days after Adams looked to have locked up his position as Beermen import when he went for 50 points against Blackwater.
“He hasn’t played Rondae yet. He might have a hard time,” said Gallent, obviously looking at the possibility that San Miguel might face TNT down the road when the quarterfinals, a crossover between the two groups, begin.
An import change bodes well for San Miguel.
The last time they changed imports was in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup where Ivan Aska was replaced by Bennie Boatwright. The gambit paid off as Boatwright led the Beermen to the championship.
Ironically, last season’s Commissioner Cup situation where they started with a 3-3 record before making the change was quite similar to this conference where the Beermen had a 3-2 mark before making the switch.
Gallent is definitely hoping for the same result.
“It’s the same scenario nga when Aska knew he was going to be replaced, we talked about it, he took it professionally, and he played his heart out. Adams is the same, Adams is a professional like Aska. And he took it very professionally,” said Gallent.
Jury still out on Mac
Gallent, however, said the jury is still out for Mac, who had a decent debut against NLEX where he had 16 points, one rebound, one assist, one steal, and one block.
“I think one more game. It’s a new court. He just arrived two days ago. He still doesn’t know who the shooters are in team, who the penetrators in the team. Once he gets to know them, then I think it’s going to be fluid,” Gallent added.
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