THREE-time Best Import Justin Brownlee remains a force to be reckoned with in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
But it’s TNT’s Bol Bol which serves as the barometer in terms of reinforcement in the mid-season conference.
And it’s one of the major factors why San Miguel had to let go of Marcus Lee and bring in former NBA player Justin Patton.
READ: San Miguel proves too strong for hapless Macau Black Bears
“Bol Bol is in a different level. Kaya kailangan naming humanap kumbaga ng panangga,” said team manager Gee Abanilla, adding it was coach Leo Austria who suggested the Beermen go out of their way to sign in the 6-foot-11 first round pick of the Chicago Bulls in the 2017 draft.
Patton, 28, showed exactly what he can do by finishing with 24 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, and three steals in San Miguel’s 110-94 win over the Macau Black Bears Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The new import though committed five of San Miguel’s turnovers, but that’s understandable.
“Isang beses pa lang siya nag-practice sa amin,” said Abanilla. “Hindi niya pa talaga kilala yung mga teammates niya.”
Patton arrived in the country only last week from Utah and then attended to a lot of paper works that he barely had enough time to rest and practice with the team.
He also didn’t come on board earlier to be with the Beermen when they played Bol and the Tropang 5G, who came away with a runaway 118-92 win behind their import’s 40-point, 18-rebound performance.
“Sayang nga hindi siya umabot sa TNT game,” said Abanilla.
But with a few more days to practice with San Miguel before it tangles with Barangay Ginebra on Easter Sunday, the SMB official believes Patton will be able to play even better once he settles down with the team.
“Eventually, he’ll get to know the team well in the coming days,” Abanilla added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
