Terik Bridgeman was expected to boost San Miguel Beermen’s hopes of bagging a Grand Slam this season, as he was chosen by team officials to replace Wendell McKines after SMB’s 3-2 start in the 2017 Governor’s Cup.
Unfortunately, he failed to deliver.
For two games, the American swingman was not as good as what the team thought he was, only scoring two points in his debut against Alaska Aces which they lost, and on Wednesday night versus Rain or Shine, he only finished with four points.
Due to this, the Beermen brass have brought in another reinforcement in Terrence Watson, who arrived in Manila this Wednesday morning.
But despite the sour end to his stint, San Miguel head coach Leo Austria had nothing but kind words for the Newark, New Jersey native, describing him as one of the nicest players inside San Miguel’s locker room.
“In fairness naman kay Terik ano, very impressive yung kanyang credential and napakabait,” lauded Austria of the underwhelming forward, after SMB’s 103-96 win over the Elasto Painters at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“He’s trying to be nice to everybody eh, pati sa kalaban,” the multi-titled mentor quipped.
“It’s just that we need somebody who can complement the team.”
San Miguel’s decision not to prolong Bridgeman’s stay with the team stems from their strong desire to remain as one of the top teams in the conference, for all that they want is to solidify their bid of a rare Grand Slam feat.
“We want to win, because alam niyo naman anong prize ang nakataya para sa’min dito,” said Austria.
And with that, the reigning Coach of the Year awardee is hoping that Watson, another American forward who last played in Israel, could deliver what the Beermen needs in their championship aspirations.
“I hope our new import could help us. Alam naman natin eh, pagkuha ng import sometimes tsambahan,” said the 59-year-old.
“Based on recommendation of some of the agents na sinasabi nila, he will be the right import for us.”
