ITS title retention bid on the line, San Miguel decided to bring in a new import in time for its PBA Commissioner's Cup road game against Meralco on Saturday.
The Beermen tapped 6-foot-10 Malik Pope to reinforce them as they battle the surging Bolts in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
The 28-year-old Pope takes over the place of Jabari Narcis. He is the fourth import of the team this conference after Quincy Miller, Torren Jones, and Narcis.
The defending champion currently sports an even 4-4 slate and barely hanging for the no. 8 and last spot in the quarterfinals.
A product of San Diego State, Pope was undrafted in the NBA and instead, played overseas in countries such as Greece, Germany, and Estonia.
Sponsored content: He also suited up with several teams in the NBA G. League including the G. League Ignite, where Filipino Kai Sotto once played.
Coach Leo Austria hinted about the possibility of having a new import Wednesday night after San Miguel lost to Hong Kong Eastern, 84-74, in the East Asia Super League (EASL) at the Philsports Arena.
"Let's see in the next few days if there's somebody who will play for us," said Austria as Narcis went scoreless in seven minutes of play.
In the three games that he played in the PBA, Narcis had a 1-2 record for San Miguel, his lone win coming in a crucial 85-78 come-from-behind victory against Magnolia last week at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. (RG)
