MANILA, Philippines - The ASEAN Basketball League has allowed the AirAsia Phl Patriots to reinstate Nakiea Miller as import for the rest of the season even beyond the league’s deadline for player changes, citing the unforeseen circumstances that struck the Filipino squad.
The Patriots found themselves shorthanded last week when import Chris Alexander packed his bags without notice, leaving the team with only Anthony Johnson as reinforcement in a horrendous 79-104 loss to the Indonesia Warriors.
Alexander ironically replaced Miller just in time for the Patriots’ 16th game of the season, the league’s cut for making personnel changes.
“After reviewing the evidence provided by the team and assessing the situation carefully, the ABL board has decided that due to the unforeseen circumstances of Alexander’s sudden departure from the team which was not due to injury, suspension or release, the Patriots will be allowed to reinstate Miller for the rest of the season,” the ABL said in a statement.
However, the league made it clear that other than getting Miller back to the fold, the Patriots “will not be allowed to make any further changes to the squad for any reason whatsoever.”