MANILA – San Miguel Beermen will pin its hopes on a familiar import when it begins its title-retention bid in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on April 22.
Beermen tapped Troy Gillenwater as reinforcement with last year’s import Charles Rhodes still tied up with a Korean league, according to team manager Gelacio Abanilla.
“We are confident Troy can do the job,” Abanilla said during Beermen’s victory party Tuesday night.
“Charles Rhodes is not available and is playing in a Korean league so we have to look elsewhere,” he added.
Another player being floated as possible import for Beermen was Renaldo Balkman, whose PBA ban had been lifted in March.
But Balkman was currently tied as well with San Miguel-Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League.
The 6-foot-9 Gillenwater, who previously played for Mighty Sports-Philippines, was confident he can live up to the expectations of Beermen’s fans.
“I always got the attitude that I have something to prove, so this is no different,” said Gillenwater. “I feel like I got something to prove to the fans and that’s how I’m coming. Be ready.”
He added: “I think we should be able to pull it off. We’re going against a don’t-quit team. They play hard every game. They don’t give up. But as long as we do what we need to do, I think we should be fine.”
Prior to his stint with Beermen, the 29-year-old Gillenwater played in South Korea, Greece, Russia, Japan, and Turkey as reinforcement, too./PN
