Not leaving anything to chance, San Miguel Beer has tapped former Cleveland Cavalier John Holland to lead the grand slam-seeking Beermen to the finish line in place of the injured Dez Wells.
Wells sat on the SMB bench last Wednesday as June Mar Fajardo and the rest of the locals grinded out a 99-96 overtime thriller over Marqus Blakely and the Blackwater Elite, yet to fully recover from the ankle injury he sustained in their Oct. 27 game against Meralco.
The Beermen are currently chasing a Top 4 positioning and twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals and SMB coach Leo Austria said they couldn't risk playing All-Filipino again when they take on Rain or Shine in a crucial Petron Saturday Special road game in Lapu-lapu City.
Thus they flew in Holland while relegating Wells to the injured list.
"We're hoping maayos ang paperworks ni John Holland bukas (in time for Saturday)," said Austria, who expects Holland to arrive Friday.
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"Since sinabi ni Wells he can't play on Saturday, we got a backup. We can't afford na walang import for the second time," he added.
Austria couldn't stress more the importance of their duel with the E-Painters.
"Very crucial ang game namin on Saturday. If he (Wells) cannot play, so there must be someby who could replace him. The good thing is, this win can give us a lot of option eh, dahil kung natalo kami mahirap eh. But regarding Saturday's game, may import or wala, makakalaro o hindi, we have to play at our best dahil we have a chance to make it (to the Top 4)," he added.
Austria said Wells has actually been back in practice but then asked to be excused from Tuesday's practice and Wednesday's match complaining of soreness and inflammation on his foot.
"He's practicing well nung Monday, tsina-challenge niya every player na matapat sa kanya expecially on penetratuon but we're surprised yesterday he skipped practice because something's wrong with his foot," said the SMB coach.
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"Usually we don't force a player who don't want to play because something's wrong with his body."
With Wells forced out of action, San Miguel leaned on the next best thing - Fajardo. The five-time MVP delivered import-esque numbers of 30 points, 13 rebounds and two assits in 32 minutes of action to lead the Beermen out of a two-game slide and into solo fourth at 6-3 overall.
"Kailangan namin manalo kasi nga sunod-sunod na talo namin, kailangan namin makahabol sa standings, sa top 4 para 2 to beat advantage," said Fajardo.
The five-peat Philippine Cup titlists survived this one but the Cebuano behemoth stressed they can't hold the fort without Wells (37.13 ppg, 7.88 rpg, 4.75 apg, 2 spg) for too long.
"Siguro alam namin maglaro pag kami'y All-Filipino, pero still kailangan namin ng import. Mabuti nga nakuha namin ito, nalagpasan namin ito," said Fajardo.(OL)
