Rain or Shine was forced to play with an all-Filipino lineup on Thursday as its import, Greg Smith, failed to obtain his clearance from FIBA.
Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao confirmed this development to Daily Tribune minutes before their game against Terrafirma.
“He failed to get his clearance,” Guiao said. “Last game was OK because the PBA is going to give you some time, but as soon as you failed to obtain it at a time given to you, then you’re not eligible to play in the next game.”
According to Guiao, Rain or Shine will be fined continuously by the International Basketball Federation in each game that the import plays without a clearance, prompting the Elasto Painters to not use Smith against Terrafirma.
Smith was already in uniform when he was prevented from playing.
Rain or Shine is still trying to secure a clearance from Smith’s Dominican Republic team, Leones de Santo Domingo, to be submitted to FIBA.
Smith played last 12 February, leading the Elasto Painters to their first win in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup with a 122-117 triumph over Blackwater.
