TNT KaTropa kept their faith with import Joshua Smith as they decided to not make an import change in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals against the San Miguel Beermen.
Head coach Nash Racela confirmed the news to InterAksyon on Tuesday on the eve of Game Four of the series where TNT is currently down, 2-1, after losing two straight games.
“We’ve decided to stick with him because we believe at this point, we still have a better chance of winning with him as our import,” Racela said in a telephone interview. “Chemistry-wise, I think he fits well than Mike Myers.”
Racela said Smith, who is bothered by a foot injury, has shown significant progress in his health condition.
“One thing that is very positive for Joshua, we don’t see him grimacing in pain anymore,” added Racela. “We didn’t see it in Game 3, but in the first two games meron pa because each time we took him out, he was noticeably limping.”
TNT’s standby imports, Myers and Michael Craig, have also assisted Smith in practices as he tries to return to tip-top condition.
“Myers and the other import, (Mike) Craig, were pushing Smith in practice and that helped his progress,” Racela said.