With June Mar Fajardo sidelined by a fractured finger, San Miguel Beer changed its strategy and hired a new import that will replace Ivan Aska in the ongoing Commissioners’ Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Beermen team manager Gee Abanilla told Daily Tribune that Bennie Boatwright is already in town and is expected to boost their frontcourt any time soon.
“He is already in town,” said Abanilla, referring to the 27-year-old forward who played with former Magnolia import Nick Rakocevic at the University of Southern California in the Division I of the US National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Abanilla said they are still ironing out some minor details in Boatwright’s hiring, which means that Aska might play for one last time when the Beermen battle reigning champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Both the Beermen and the Kings are coming off tough losses. But the pain that San Miguel is suffering hurts even more as it absorbed a 101-115 decision to import-less NorthPort last Friday, prompting head coach Jorge Gallent to push the panic button.
Aside from seven-time Most Valuable Player Fajardo, the Beermen are also missing the services of Vic Manuel, leaving Mo Tautuaa as the only legitimate post threat.
Manuel underwent surgery as part of his knee procedure even as the Beermen played the past few games without several key players who were also sidelined by injuries — Terrence Romeo (bruised shin), Jeron Teng (hamstring) and Kyt Jimenez (fractured bone near eye socket).
Abanilla, however, said there’s a good chance that Romeo will see action on Friday.
