THE East Asia Super League (EASL) rule limiting each team to a 12-man lineup forced San Miguel to leave out Vic Manuel and Jeron Teng when it opens its campaign in the regional league on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
SPIN.ph learned from sources that apart from Manuel and Teng, also left out by SMB were Simon Enciso and rookie Avan Nava.
Text messages to team manager Gee Abanilla were left unanswered at posting time.
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Last week, coach Jorge Gallent confirmed that only 10 locals along with two imports are allowed to play in the EASL Home and Away Season 2.
“Only 10 locals will play out of the 15 Filipinos that we have. Kasi 12-man lang yung allowed, so 10 locals plus yung two imports,” said Gallent of the EASL ruling.
Gallent though, refused to bare who among the players made it to the official EASL roster.
But the Beermen are expected to parade imports EJ Anosike and Quincy Miller in their 6:10 p.m. encounter with Korean Basketball League counterpart Suwon KT Sonicboom.
The team also has high hopes on Miller to anchor the team’s campaign.
Gallent said the former NBA player has learned the San Miguel system since he's been in the country for almost a month now joining the Beermen's practices.
“Quin is in shape since he’s been practicing a lot with the team,” said Gallent of the import who previously suited up for Converge and TNT.
Miller, a second-round pick of Denver in the 2012 draft, is also expected to help inspire a San Miguel side that is coming off a 114-112 heartbreaker against Converge in Game 3 of their PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals series.
SMB out to atone
The Beermen lost a 27-point third-quarter lead as the FiberXers exploded for 48 points in the final quarter, capped by Alec Stockton’s game-winning jumper at the buzzer.
Expected to lead the San Miguel charge along with the two imports are eighth-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Terrence Romeo, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, and Don Trollano.
After the EASL, San Miguel will play Game 4 of its series against Converge on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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