SAN Miguel made an intriguing import switch on Thursday by bringing back its original import Jordan Adams to replace Sheldon Mac after just one game.
Adams was initially replaced in preparation for the bigger picture with San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent saying they need an import who plays more of a guard position rather than a big for the remainder of the conference. But Mac was apparently let go after just one game after an underwhelming performance of 16 points, one rebound, one assist, one steal, and one block.
READ: San Miguel U-turns from Sheldon Mac, brings back Jordan Adams
Rarely does an import brought back after being replaced, but such rule is allowed in the PBA for as long as teams follow certain procedures.
So how was San Miguel able to make a switch?
Adams was able to come back after San Miguel relegated him to their injured/reserve list. By doing so, the Beermen are allowed to bring him back to the active roster.
For the sake of this discussion, Magnolia is actually allowed to bring back Glenn Robinson III since, on paper, he was also brought down by the Hotshots in their import injured/reserve list.
And for all the excitement and, more importantly, the wins that George King brought to his new team, Blackwater can still bring back its first import Ricky Ledo as he was, on record, brought down to the injured/reserve list. Of course, that would no longer happen as the Bossing are very much happy with King.
Teams do such practice as some sort of a safety measure in the event that the replacement import didn't pan out the way they wanted to.
It is important to note that the team must expressely disclose that the import is assigned to its injured/reserve list. Teams also replace imports outright and not relegated the player to the injured/reserve list, losing the right to be re-activated in the active roster. An example of which is Jayveous McKinnis of Phoenix.
Only the first import is allowed to be brought back
The right to be returned to the roster is only reserved for the first import or the import that was on the opening day roster, which Adams also met that enabled him to come back.
Such was the case as well for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson during the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup as, even though he didn’t play in the first game due to an injury and was temporarily replaced by Quincy Miller, he was listed in the TNT’s opening day roster as its import.
Replacement import is not allowed be re-activated
As pointed out, only the original import is allowed to return, but, as per PBA rules, the replacement import doesn't have such right. That means that Sheldon Mac, being San Miguel's replacement import, can’t be brought back anymore, as per PBA rules.
And again, for the sake of this discussion, imports like Shabazz Muhammad of Magnolia, Brandone Francis of Phoenix, Antonio Hester of Terrafirma, and Venky Jois of NorthPort are no longer allowed to return once replaced.
First import is only allowed to be replaced once
PBA rules also state that once the first import is replaced for a second time, he is no longer eligible to be re-activated again for the conference. This means that if Jordan Adams is replaced again, he isn’t allowed to return again.
The most recent case of such is actually Hollis-Jefferson, who was replaced by his brother Rahlir during last season’s Commissioner’s Cup. But since Miller had already took his place earlier that conference, Rondae was already ineligible to come back in the active roster.
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