San Miguel import AZ Reid had to cut his vacation short to offer help to the San Miguel Beermen in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters after the team chose to part ways with Tyler Wilkerson.
Reid’s stint in the conference was short-lived, however, as the Elasto Painters scored a dominant 124-99 Game 4 victory Sunday night.
Still, the prolific-scoring import said he has no regrets coming back to the PBA even if it was on short notice.
“Not a bit of regret. I tried, that’s all I can do. I will give my effort. My mind was there but my body was not. But like what I said, this is extra motivation,” Reid said.
“Of course, I am disappointed. My body was not in shape. My body was not in rhythm. I was not ready. But no excuses, no nothing, that’s life. It happens.”
Reid bared he took a 25-hour flight to get to the Philippines and practiced with the Beermen on Saturday.
“I was at home. I got a call and I said, are you serious? I am not ready. I said I will give it what I got but they won’t see the AZ I used to be,” he said.
Reid was the high point man for the Beermen with 25 points and added 17 rebounds and five assists, although he shot 12-for-31 from the field.
The import, who led San Miguel to the 2015 Governors’ Cup title, took the sub-par performance as motivation for the next conference.
“I know I’m not ready. I know my legs were not there. But is was nice. This is more motivation for me for the third conference to come back stronger,” Reid shared.
“I had the shots I wanted and shots I normally make. I’m not blaming nobody. It is what it is. I was not supposed to be here but I just tried ro help my team.”
Beermen head coach Leo Austria was appreciative of Reid’s effort to travel and give help, even if the Beermen got eliminated. The focus is now to get him back for the third conference where the squad is ought to defend its crown.
“Siya ang import namin for next conference. We thought, kung makakalusot kami dito, he will not go back home but he is only just to provide some help. Kaya lang, hindi nangyari,” Austria said. “Maybe first week of June, he will be planning to go back here.”
Reid himself was thankful for extra exposure he had, and vowed to be better in the Governors’ Cup.
“In my mind, I was not going to play until July 15. But I am always thankful for opportunities. I wanted to help my team. I hurt them more than I helped them but that’s all I can do. It is what it is, I am going to be ready for the third conference for sure,” Reid said.
