Greg Smith II did not hide his disappointment after suddenly encountering clearance problems that barred him from playing in Rain or Shine’s PBA Governors’ Cup meeting with Terrafirma, Thursday evening.
The American cager was told mere minutes prior to the match — which the Elasto Painters eventually won — that he couldn’t play until he receives an LOC from the national federation of the Dominican Republic.
He previously played in the said country, suiting up for the Leones de Santo Domingo of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto (LNB) in 2021.
“It’s just disappointing because I haven’t played professionally since 2021. And for something like this to happen in 2023 when I’ve already played a game, it’s just heartbreaking,” Smith said after the win at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Smith has already debuted last Sunday in a 122-117 win over Blackwater, and none from the ball club expected such an issue to arise as they all believe that the Omaha native should be all cleared by his ex-team.
“It’s the SBP ruling ‘yung dapat siyang may clearance from the last team that he played for. Kaya siya nakalaro noong first game because they give you time to comply with the requirement. Kumpiyansa kami,” said coach Yeng Guiao.
“Kasi, alam naming wala siyang atraso. Wala siyang mga pagkukulang sa huli niyang pinaglaruan. Actually 2021 pa eh. Tagal na noon. Kung may problema, alam na dapat namin. Nakapagtataka nga,” the champion mentor added.
Guiao said that it was unfair for Smith to be facing that kind of problem as he and Rain or Shine complied with all the requirements.
“It’s kind of also unfair actually to him na after all these years, he’s not able to get that clearance. Nagbigay na lahat ng requirements eh. Binigay na natin lahat ng hinanap nila,” said the outspoken bench tactician.
“Problema, ‘yung country of origin, the last team that he played for, ay hindi nag-asikaso. That is unfair to the player, for the teams, for the national association. Hanapbuhay ng tao yun eh. ‘Pag dine-delay mo, kawawa siya.”
Spoiled by the situation was Smith’s supposed clash with good pal Jordan Williams, who like him has spent much of their career in Latin America.
“It’s something that we’ve dreamt to do in every country. Everywhere we go, we play with each other, and we always play good games. So I thought tonight was gonna be more of the same,” he said.
“But I was just as surprised as anybody, like, 10 minutes before the game, they told me I couldn’t play. We’re trying to do everything to figure it out. He had a really good night, they almost battled back and won.”
Now, Smith and the rest of the Elasto Painters are just hoping that he can get cleared in time for the match against Magnolia on February 22.
“It was something that we didn’t think was a problem, and then now it’s kinda become a problem. I’m gonna try to sort it out hopefully tomorrow so that I’ll be cleared by Wednesday to play,” said the 32-year-old.
“For whatever reason, they’re being slow with it. It should be something that should be resolved soon.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
