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PBA: Former Best Import AZ Reid to reinforce winless San Miguel Beer


Former Rain or Shine import Arizona Reid is set to play for San Miguel Beer in the Commissioner's Cup, earlier than scheduled to try to save the floundering campaign of the Philippine Cup champions.
 
The Beermen are still winless after four outings in the current conference, leaving them at the cellar of the standings just three weeks after their All-Filipino conquest.
 
San Miguel is pinning its hopes on the two-time Governor's Cup Best Import, who will replace Ronald Roberts Jr. as its reinforcement in the conference.
 
"For the meantime, Arizona Reid will play in our next game," San Miguel coach Leo Austria confirmed to reporters on Tuesday after their 107-100 loss to Alaska. "Supposed to be he's for our third conference, but the situation needs him."
 
San Miguel has been gripped with championship hangover, losing to Kia and Blackwater, expansion teams that occupied the bottom of the standings last conference.
 
The Beermen also lost to sister team Barangay Ginebra and the injury-laden Alaska, teams that have also struggled in their opening games.
 
San Miguel faces the tough situation of clashing with the top teams in their next seven matches. The possibility of getting eliminated early looms, with only eight of the 12 teams in the league advancing to the quarterfinals.
 
"It's really hard for us but hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa dahil hanggat merong chances puwede 'yun," Austria said.
 
The coach is hopeful that Reid will be able to pull the team upward with his leadership, but he is more concerned about his influence on SMB's decision-making capabilities.
 
Austria rued his team's 21 turnovers on Tuesday, which translated into 23 turnover points for Alaska. San Miguel had chances to tie the score against the Aces, but they were unable to close the gap due to defensive fouls in the endgame penalty situation.
 
Reid averaged 29.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, and four assists in his previous tours of duty in the PBA under Rain or Shine, slightly better numbers than Roberts' 23 points, 16.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in four games for SMB. —JST, GMA News