TNT KaTropa going all the way with Joshua Smith
MIKE MYERS doesn’t need to take over the job of Joshua Smith at TNT as the former will have to showcase his wares instead with the Gilas Pilipinas playing in the William Jones Cup next month.
TNT coach Nash Racela decided to stick with Mr. Smith as the hurting burly import had shown signs of recovery from his foot injury.
“He’s not grimacing anymore,” Mr. Racela told BusinessWorld in a telephone interview. “I would say he feels much better now compared to the Ginebra series. He’s still not 100% but he’s much better.”
Mr. Smith, a wide-bodied import, hurt his foot during their semifinals series against the Gin Kings and there were indications that he’ll be replaced anytime.
The KaTropa brought in Mr. Myers who has been on standby, but Mr. Smith was able to play in pain and in fact helped the squad in eliminating the Gin Kings as well as steering the team to a series opening victory over San Miguel Beermen.
But after the KaTropa lost their last two games, there were speculations that Mr. Smith will be replaced finally by Mr. Myers.
Mr. Racela decided to stick with Mr. Smith, whom he felt could give the team a better chance of matching up with San Miguel, particularly against June Mar Fajardo, the league’s most dominant force and the threetime reigning Most Valuable Player.
Myers, though, has been helping out both TNT and Gilas Pilipinas, which are both being bankrolled by Manuel V. Pangilinan.
Not only did Mr. Myers help out TNT’s practice sessions, he’s been pushing Smith’s game to a higher level in their scrimmages. In Gilas, Mr. Myers was tapped by head coach Chot Reyes to become its import.
A prestigious annual club tournament usually being participated by our national squads allowed to field in imports, Mr. Myers will reinforce the Gilas team composed of a mixture of top PBA prospects and current young stars in the pro league.
Last year, the Philippines was represented by Mighty Sports which brought in seven imports and went on to sweep the tournament.