MAGNOLIA fans can breathe easier now.
The import crisis that has gripped the popular PBA franchise was finally averted with news that its replacement import, Shabazz Muhammad, has been finally cleared to play for the Hotshots in the Governors' Cup.
Muhammad was signed by Magnolia to replace fellow NBA veteran Glenn Robinson III but failed to suit up for the Hotshots in an out-of-town game in Panabo because he has yet to secure a Letter of Clearance from world basketball bosy Fiba.
COLUMN: Is bringing back Robinson still an option for Magnolia?
The Hotshots lost that game while playing all-Filipino, 82-74, on Saturday.
The hold-up, sources said, stemmed from a previous commitment made by Muhammad's camp with Lebanese club Homenetmen before agreeing to play for the Hotshots in the PBA.
However, sources from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas bared that the LOC that Muhammad needs arrived at the SBP office on Tuesday, clearing the way for the import's third PBA stint after previous appearances with SMB and NLEX.
SPIN.ph columnist Homer Sayson was the first to break the development.
The former NBA player is now set to make his Magnolia debut in a game against Terrafirma on Thursday.
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