One more chance for Boone

MANILA, Philippines - Despite the arrival of would-be replacement Kevin Jones, San Miguel Beer import Josh Boone is expected to play like the NBA veteran he is when the former New Jersey Nets center takes to the floor against Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Boone, 29, knew that Jones was on the way here before making his PBA debut last Friday but the possibility of an early exit didn’t make a difference. His focus was unflinching as he compiled 16 points and 16 rebounds in San Miguel’s 94-76 win over Meralco at the Big Dome. San Miguel head coach Biboy Ravanes and consultant Todd Purves praised Boone for his high level of professionalism.

“I don’t think he was more or less motivated with the news of Kevin coming over,” said Purves. “He went out there to play hard and to the best of his ability.” Boone got into early foul trouble, picking up his fifth with over five minutes left in the third period, but stayed aggressive until the end. He struggled in offense, hitting 7-of-17 from the field and a lowly 2-of-5 from the line. Once, Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio called for a hack-a-Boone before the last two minutes but the 6-8 9/16 former University of Connecticut standout sank two free throws to the Bolts’ consternation.

Jones, 24, flew in early yesterday morning. He’ll start practice with San Miguel tomorrow. It could be Boone’s last game tonight but the coaching staff is holding off a final verdict. If the decision is to replace Boone, Jones will be measured in the PBA office and licensed by the Games and Amusements Board. Jones was never drafted in the NBA but played 32 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, averaging 3.0 points and 2.4 rebounds. As a senior at West Virginia University, Jones hit at a 19.9 clip, shooting 51% from the floor and 78% from the stripe.

Boone said he’ll do what it takes to win for the Beermen. “I know the PBA is a physical league,” he said. “In the end, it’s just basketball. Being a go-to guy isn’t new to me. I played in China and that’s what my role was. I’ve played against the best big guys in basketball like Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Bosh. I’m confident in what I can do out there.” Aside from playing four years in the NBA, Boone was on the Connecticut varsity that captured the NCAA title in 2004.

The knock on Boone is his limited offensive skills. He has no perimeter game. Purves, however, said he’s not counting on Boone to score from the outside. “Our goal is to get our guys to be physically and mentally tough and play unselfish basketball,” he said. “On the defensive end, we want our guys to be relentless and on offense, we want to share the ball.”

Against Meralco, San Miguel did exactly what Purves set out to do. The Beermen limited the Bolts to 29.8% field goal shooting up to the third quarter and Meralco wound up hitting 35%. San Miguel had more assists, 27-8, more rebounds, 56-49, more transition points, 16-6, more second chance points 26-18, more three-point shots, 6-3 and more bench points, 40-12 to win handily.

Purves passed his chemistry test with flying colors as eight Beermen scored at least six points compared to only four for Meralco. What made the win more impressive was last conference’s Best Player awardee JuneMar Fajardo, nursing a sprained ankle, didn’t even play. Doug Kramer, filling in for Fajardo and subbing for Boone, delivered 14 points on 7-of-8 field goals and six rebounds in 19 minutes and took Best Player of the Game honors.

With Fajardo expected to play tonight, Purves said the dynamics of San Miguel’s game will definitely change. Boone could be more effective playing four with Fajardo at five and might show skills he didn’t display last Friday. Jones will likely be watching at courtside.

San Miguel team manager Gee Abanilla said the coaching staff did a solid job on the sidelines in beating Meralco. Before talking to the players in every timeout, Purves would huddle with the staff to get inputs just like coaches do in the NBA. As usual, Purves showed up in a coat-and-tie. He wore his lucky red tie, the same tie he used in his first game and win with the Indonesia Warriors in the ABL three years ago.

“We were asked to wear red,” said Purves. “Next game, maybe I’ll wear a green tie.” But Purves said he’ll wear whatever management wants him to wear. “Management told me I could wear whatever I’m comfortable wearing,” he said. “Wearing a coat-and-tie is like part of my mental preparation for game. But if management wants me to wear something else, I’ll do it.” Abanilla said San Miguel Beer president Bobby Huang is going all-out to support the brand’s comeback to the PBA and asked the team’s fans to wear red.

Newly recruited guard Sol Mercado said moving to San Miguel was a prayer answered. Last Friday, he came off the bench to contribute eight points, one rebound and three assists in 21 minutes. “My role is different now,” he said. “I’m concentrating on defense and playmaking. I don’t need to score big like before because we’ve got so many great scorers. I’ll make sure the ball goes to the guys in the best position to score.”