MAGNOLIA can’t risk keeping a hurting Shabazz Muhammad for the PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs.
The Hotshots decided to bring in a new import in Rayvonte Rice to take the place of Muhammad, who’s suffering a swollen right knee that made him miss the team’s last game against NorthPort.
Rice, 32, and a product of University of Illinois, arrived in the country on Saturday night in time for Magnolia’s final game in the group stage on Monday against Converge.
Coach Chito Victolero already admitted the Hotshots were tinkering with the possibility of replacing Muhammad, considering he sustained the injury at the worst possible time just when the quarterfinals are set to kick off by next week.
“That’s an option (replacement) because kung hindi rin naman healthy,” said the veteran coach.
Victolero also added that Muhammad is fully aware of his current situation about being replaced.
Extra (effort) Rice
Rice will be the third import of Magnolia this conference after Muhammad and original choice Glenn Robinson III.
Incidentally, he will be the second import of the Purefoods franchise carrying the surname Rice after Darius Rice in the 2008 Fiesta Conference.
Rice boasts of vast experience playing in overseas leagues, as he’s taken his act to countries such as Italy, France, Iran, Russia, Israel, Greece, Canada, Taiwan, and Japan.
He also suited up in the G League and last played for the Liaoning Flying Leopards in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
The Hotshots are currently tied with the FiberXers for the No. 3 spot in Group A, both carrying 5-4 records.
The winner of their match will take the three-seed, while the loser goes down to fourth.
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