San Miguel head coach Leo Austria made it clear that AZ Reid is still the Beermen’s reinforcement.
Reports circulated early on Wednesday that SMB are set to part ways again with the two-time Best Import due to a sprained ankle, which he incurred last Friday versus the Columbian Dyip.
“I told him you’re still my import,” said Austria on Wednesday evening. “Kaya sabi ko sa kanya keep on working pa, magpakundisyon pa kasi you can never know what will happen.”
Austria did confirm that another import, Kevin Murphy, is set to arrive in the country. But the six-time champion coach said that the former Utah Jazz player is only a back-up to Reid.
Back-up, meaning that should Reid’s injury not progress in terms of healing, the 28-year-old Murphy will then take his place as the Beermen’s foreign reinforcement.
“On flight pa lang siguro siya. Once na makita na namin, that’s the time na pwede na namin sabihing siya na, ‘pag nakita namin laro. But based on what we’ve seen sa videos, he’s okay,” he said.
“He’ll practice with us tomorrow kung makakarating sya on time dahil arrival nya is around 6:30 in the morning. And then poproseso pa, may mga blood test pa yan, may mga medical pa,” the Coach of the Year furthered.
“Then ‘pag practice makikita namin kung deserving to be there.”