IVAN Aska will continue to reinforce San Miguel in the PBA Commissioner's Cup until his replacement Bennie Boatwright fully recovers from a bad case of the flu.
San Miguel management confirmed the 23-year-old Boatwright remains in sickbay and is not yet available to play, giving the 6-foot-8 Aska another shot at suiting up for the Beermen when they go up against Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the TNT Tropang Giga on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
"He's not yet well enough. Siguro mga one game pa," said coach Jorge Gallent when asked of Boatwright's status.
"Hindi niya pa kaya," added team manager Gee Abanilla.
A teammate of former Magnolia import Nick Rakocevic with the USC Trojan men's basketball program, Boatwright arrived in the country this week to take over the spot of the 33-year-old Aska following the alarming two-game slide of the Beermen.
Unfortunately, he caught the flu bug shortly after and wasn't available for his supposed debut game against defending champion Barangay Ginebra.
Aska wins in last outing
Aska played against the Kings and scored 10 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in a 95-82 win as SMB improved to a 4-3 record in a tie with its victim and TNT Tropang Giga.
He gets another shot at a graceful exit on Sunday against the Tropang Giga before Boatwright takes over once fully recovered.
After TNT, San Miguel's next game will be on Christmas Day against quarterfinalist Phoenix.
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