SMB taps NBA veteran Thomas Robinson as import

JUST a few days after winning their first championship in three years, the San Miguel Beermen are not taking any chances as they embark in a new campaign in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, which begins on September 21.

The Beermen are tapping Thomas Robinson, a legitimate NBA player who saw action for six squads — Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Portland Trailblazers, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and LA Lakers.

Team manager Gee Abanilla confirmed that Robinson will arrive a few days before the opening of the new tournament, which implements a 6-foot-10 height limit for reinforcements.

“His father passed away and the funeral schedule is September 13,” Abanilla wrote in a text message to The Manila Times. “He’ll fly on the 15th and he is expected to be here on the 16th.”

Thomas, a 6-foot-10 forward, had his best season playing for the Sixers where he averaged 8.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

After last seeing action in the NBA five years ago, Thomas spent time playing in Russia, China, the NBA G-League, Turkey, Korea and Puerto Rico.

Last year, Robinson joined the Lebanese national team, but it was Jonathan Arledge, who played as the team’s naturalized player in the recent fourth window of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers and FIBA Asia Cup.

Another NBA veteran seeing action in this coming conference is Earl Clark, former teammate of the late great Kobe Bryant at the LA Lakers, who will suit up for the NLEX Road Warriors.

The 6-foot-9 Clark has been practicing for a week now and is starting to adjust to the weather condition.

Aside from playing for the Lakers, Clark also saw action for the Phoenix Suns, the Orlando Magic and the Brooklyn Nets.

But Clark has become more familiar with the Filipino brand of play as he teamed up with former Best Import winner Terrence Jones in Puerto Rico.

He also got a lot of feedback from his good friend, Paul Harris, a former Best Import and PBA champion.

These NBA veterans are out to pose a big challenge to Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra.

A five-time PBA champion, Brownlee is the shortest among the reinforcements as he barely stands 6-foot-6, but he remains to be the yardstick among reinforcements, being a two-time Best Import winner.