Retooled SMB cast unleashed

MANILA, Philippines — PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup with new pieces.

Quincy Miller, formerly with Converge and TNT, assumes import duties as the Beermen aim to extend the reign they started with Gilas Pilipinas naturalization prospect Bennie Boatwright last season.

With Boatwright still recovering from surgery for Achilles injury, SMB tapped the 6-foot-10 Miller, who’s already been reinforcing the team in the East Asia Super League.

Miller fired 32 points, six rebounds and two assists in their 85-101 loss to Taiwanese club Taoyuan Pauian Pilots last Nov. 13, bouncing back from his disappointing 8-5-3 showing in a previous 81-87 setback to Korea’s Suwon KT 11 days earlier.

The Beermen have also tweaked their local personnel ahead of their Commissioner’s Cup debut game today against Phoenix (0-2) at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. They acquired gunner Juami Tiongson and hardworking big Andreas Cahilig in a trade with Terrafirma, shipping out Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel, who were both part of the champion group.

The Beermen are looking forward to seeing Tiongson and Cahilig strut their stuff and complement the rest of the “San Miguel Death Squad” led by June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez starting with the 7:30 p.m. opening assignment at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

First test is Phoenix, which is poised to drop the upset axe on SMB after blowing the chance to stun reigning Philippine Cup titlist Meralco last Friday. The Donovan Smith-powered Fuel Masters led the Bolts by as many as 23 markers but faded in the end, 109-111, firing them up further to go all the way this time.

Meanwhile, NLEX (1-1) shoots for back-to-back wins in the 5 p.m. curtain-raiser against the new-look Dyip (0-2).

After wasting a 16-point tear and losing big to NorthPort, 87-114, the Road Warriors picked themselves up and notched their first win at the expense of Blackwater, 107-95.

And now coach Jong Uichico’s charges look to keep rolling and strike hard against a Dyip crew that’s been struggling to gain traction with Christian Standhardinger retiring, Romeo yet to recover from injury and 7-foot import Ryan Richards doubtful.

Richards logged just one second in Terrafirma’s 101-113 setback to NorthPort last Saturday, leaving the court shortly after tipoff due to back issues and staying on the bench the rest of the way.