MANILA, Philippines - Sa kabila ng pagtulong ni Josh Boone na maibi-gay ang 2-0 record sa San Miguel Beer ay sinibak pa rin siya para sa bagong import na si Kevin Jones.
Si Jones ang ipaparada ng Beermen sa pagsagupa sa kapwa lider na Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters sa Biyernes sa 2014 PBA Commissioner’s Cup sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“The coaching staff has decided to sign and use Kevin Jones in place of Josh Boone,†sabi ni San Miguel Beer team manager Gee Abanilla. “We really appreciate the professionalism which Josh has exemplified to high degree. We wish him all the best in his career,†dagdag pa nito.
Ayon kay Abanilla, kumbinsido ang coaching staff na parehong magaling ang dalawang imports, ngunit mas pinili nila si Jones na dating Consensus Second Team All-American na naglaro sa NBA para sa Cleveland Cavaliers noong 2012-13 season.
“The coaches feel Jones is more fitted with the team. The coaches also believe he can contribute more on defense, scoring and rebounding,†sabi ni Abanilla.
Maski ang magandang laro ni Boone sa dalawang panalo ng Beermen ay nabigong makapagkumbinsi kay ‘active consultant’ Todd Purves para panatilihin ang four-year NBA veteran.
“The coaches were decided. They didn’t spend much time to decide it’s Jones,†ani Abanilla.
Samantala, inaprubahan ni PBA commissioner Chito Salud ang Alaska Milk-Air21 trade kung saan dinala ng Express si Vic Manuel sa Aces kapalit ni Aldrech Ramos.