Two days after the ugly brawl between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifier in Bocaue, Bulacan, PBA action resumes Wednesday night when Magnolia and NLEX collide in the Commissioner's Cup.
The Pambansang Manok are parading their third import for the conference with veteran PBA reinforcement Wayne Chism replacing Justin Jackson.
Chism, a 6-foot-8 American, is back for his fifth PBA stint, having played with Rain or Shine, before suiting up for NLEX last year. Incidentally, the one-time PBA Best Import will be facing his former team in the 7 p.m. main game at the Mall of Asia Arena with a lot at stake for Magnolia.
Magnolia is coming off a two-week break, enough time for Chito Victolero's wards to work on their chemistry with Chism. Victolero is confident that Chism can bring in the firepower and post threat for Magnolia, which lost to Ginebra, 104-84 in its most recent game on June 20. Chism is coming off a stint with Al Manama in Bahraim, where he averaged 16.7 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 27 games.
An added boost for Magnolia will be the return of local big man Ian Sangalang, following a hand injury early in the tournament.
Magnolia is guaranteed safe passage to the playoffs if it can win its last two games, including beating defending champion San Miguel Beer in the final elimination-round match on Saturday.
In contrast, NLEX (2-8), already out of the running for the postseason, is parading new import Olu Ashaolu.
The 30-year-old Nigerian-Canadian forward came in early to train and will serve as NLEX's import for the season-ending Governors' Cup. He's taking the spot of Arnette Moultrie.
SMB need to fight complacency against Blackwater
The San Miguel Beermen are favored to beat lightweight Blackwater Wednesday night, but coach Leo Austria has cautioned his players from being over confident.
"For me, the hardest part is to play the game after a long break," Austria said about the week-long break for the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers. "You know that we have momentum already after winning several games and then suddenly, we had to take a break."
But then again, the Beermen used the time to watch film and practice.
"It's a normal tendency for players to rest, especially since the past few seasons we've been playing in the finals, but then, we also take the break to strengthen the team and correct some mistakes we've had," he added.
The Beermen have won four of their last five games to galvanize their playoff chances. SMB enters the game occupying the fifth spot in the standings with its 5-4 record.
San Miguel's last elimination-round match will be against Magnolia on Saturday.
The six-time PBA champion coach said while they'll be playing Blackwater, the first team to be eliminated from the quarterfinal running, they have no plans to take it easy.
"What we've addressed to the team is that Blackwater has nothing to lose and everything to gain," he added. "Remember, they also wanted to redeem themselves and they've also taken a long break so they are some recharged, too."
June Mar Fajardo, fresh from his Gilas stint, is back to lead the SMB charge, while Fil-German rookie Christian Standhardinger is expected to get back into the scheme of things since hurting his knee last month.