Magnolia has acted swiftly in addressing its import situation with the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals just days away.
Not taking any risk whatsoever in keeping the injured Shabazz Muhammad, the Hotshots are bringing in the seasoned Rayvonte Rice to take his place.
Already in the country, the 6-foot-4, 32-year-old is set to make his debut on Monday against Converge, per head coach Chito Victolero.
That game against the FiberXers is crucial as the winner will clinch the third seed in Group A. Both teams are carrying identical 5-4 records.
“Yes, si Rice will play tomorrow,” the champion mentor wrote in a short text message to Tiebreaker Times, Sunday afternoon.
Victolero had said last Friday that switching imports is among their options after Muhammad sat out versus NorthPort because of a left knee tendonitis.
The 31-year-old sustained the injury in practice.
(C) PBA Images
But a day after saying as much during the postgame presser of their 110-94 win over the Batang Pier, the Hotshots ultimately decided to make the change.
With this, Magnolia is moving on from the former NBA veteran, whose return to the PBA didn’t go smoothly as his FIBA clearance got delayed a bit.
Muhammad only played for a total of two games with the Hotshots versus Terrafirma and TNT, respectively, only splitting those assignments.
The California native, though, is still in Manila and could be leaving for the States soon to focus on his recovery, according to Victolero.
“Nandito pa si Bazz. Maybe in the next few days, babalik na siguro siya sa U.S. para magpa-rehab and magpagaling,” he wrote.
Now, the team will have another experienced pro in Rice, who’s played in Italy, France, Iran, Russia, Israel, Japan, Greece, Canada, Taiwan, and China.
Also a former NBA G League campaigner, the Illinois alumnus most recently played for Liaoning of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
Listed as a guard, Rice also reinforced the Flying Leopards in the inaugural Basketball Champions League Asia held in Dubai just last June.
