THERE is a slim chance Shabazz Muhammad would still be able to play for Meralco and display his NBA-caliber of play in the PBA Governors Cup set to start early next month.
Coach Norman Black said the decision to replace Muhammad is based on the simple fact the Bolts have to open their campaign in the season-ending conference, previously set to kick off Nov. 28, with a reinforcement.
But that doesn’t mean Muhammad, once he has resolved the family emergency that prevented him from immediately coming in, could not be tapped later.
“At this point, that’s a question mark. But we definitely can’t start the (conference) without an import,” said Black when contacted by Malaya-Business Insight late Sunday.
“We didn’t have much of a choice. Shabazz Muhammad informed us through his agent that he has a family emergency at home and that he would not able to leave immediately,” Black went on. “We just felt that it’s too late in the day already as far as the conference is about to start and we still don’t have an import here. So we decided to just move forward and try to recruit another player to replace Shabazz.”
Shortly after Muhammad, through his agent, notified Meralco of the development, the Bolts immediately signed up Dallas-born Panamanian Tony Bishop.
“He just finished playing in Puerto Rico four days ago,” said Black. “He sent us a signed contract this morning (Sunday). We need to get him to the consulate on Monday to get his visa. Hopefully, if he can get that visa the day after then he can leave no later than Wednesday, hopefully.”
Whether Bishop would last for the duration of the Governors Cup or Muhammad would come in is another question.
“I’m not sure what will happen… but certainly we’ll just welcome Tony Bishop here and give him a chance to help us to win games,” said Black.
