Reid to come to SMB’s rescue?

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ head coach Yeng Guiao confirmed that they have released two-time PBA Best Import Arizona Reid and he is bound to transfer to struggling Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beermen.

The Beermen are still winless in three starts in the Commissioner’s Cup and had the dubious mark of being the first team to be beaten by expansion club Blackwater Elite after 14 tries that came on the heels of a 10-point loss to the other expansion team Kia Carnival.

“Ni-release na namin si AZ (Reid) on the request of San Miguel. Sa amin naman, gusto rin naming magka-trabaho yung player. Ayaw naman naming siya i-hostage since we’re planning to use a new import in the coming Governors’ Cup,” Guiao told Philstar.com.

Guiao’s statement confirmed player agent Sheryl Reyes’ announcement that Reid will soon be playing with another team though she withheld the information of his new destination pending official announcement.

San Miguel Beermen coach Leo Austria admitted that their coaching staff and the management talked about Reid prior to the start of the conference, but he has yet to hear about him again prior to their heartbreaking loss to Blackwater last Wednesday. 

“Hindi ko alam. But as far as I’m concerned, napag-usapan namin si Reid bago mag-start ang conference but he will be at a disadvantage since malalaki ang mga imports ngayon. Baka para sa third conference,” a clueless Austria told Philstar.com last Tuesday before their ill-fated game against the Elite.

The Beermen remained mum on the news but Lavenir, a Belgian newspaper, confirmed that Reid is already bound for the Philippines and will play for San Miguel. 

Lavenir reported on Wednesday that “Arizona Reid will not finish the season in Belgium. Confirmation fell on Wednesday: the current Belgian MVP will join the Philippine championship (PBA) and specifically the San Miguel Beermen club champions last season and winner of the Cup in January.”

The Belgian newspaper also said that Reid’s contract with the VOO Wolves Verviers-Pepinster has already been bought out.

“Vervier, the club, has already received a “buy out” offer but also endorsed Reid’s commitment for next season. On the other hand, the manager of Reid is confident to propose any replacement to the season in the best conditions,” the report added.

The 6-4 power forward averaged 29.1 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals for Rain or Shine last season en route to winning his second PBA Best Import award. It will be his fourth tour of duty in the PBA since winning his first PBA Import award back in 2010-11 Governors’ Cup but will be his first time to play in the Commissioner’s Cup.

The Beermen’s current import, Ronald Roberts Jr., is four inches taller than Reid but failed to lead the team to victory in three starts. The 23-yeard-old Roberts averaged 22.7 points, 17.7 rebounds, one assist, one steal and three blocks but is only shooting 48 percent from the stripes.

Guiao believes that Reid can hold his own against the bigger imports this conference.

“He is a two-time Best Import. Kahit nung nasa amin siya, hindi naman siya ganun kalakihan but he knows how to compensate for his height disadvantage. Magaling na import at mabait saka his familiarity with the PBA will really help San Miguel. Hindi naman madedehado si AZ (Reid) especially may June Mar (Fajardo) naman sila,” Guiao said.