COLUMN: IS BRINGING BACK ROBINSON STILL AN OPTION FOR MAGNOLIA?

CHICAGO - The Magnolia Hotshots didn't have a scheduled practice on Monday but import Shabazz Muhammad, who was brought in last Thursday to replace Glenn Robinson III, was present at shootaround.

Barred from playing in last Saturday's game in Davao versus Meralco because he has yet to secure a Letter of Clearance (LOC) from Fiba, Shabazz's status for a game against Terrafirma this Thursday remains in limbo.

As of Monday night, a source from the Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP), which oversees the process, told me the LOC hasn't arrived.

COLUMN: Magnolia no one to blame but itself for import mess

"I doubt meron na. Kasi if wala pa nung weekend, it will take a whole weekday at least given the time difference between the Philippines and Switzerland."

Meanwhile, as I am writing this column, I received confirmation from a fellow NBA-credentialed reporter that "Robinson is on the plane" heading for the U.S.

Which means Magnolia is, technically, import-less right now.

MAGNOLIA'S OPTIONS.

The Hotshots' dilemma can be likened to a toxic relationship where a dude abandons a loyal partner and sweetheart only to find out that his new, ferocious love has commitment issues.

So where does Magnolia go from here?

While waiting for Muhammad's LOC, they can continue to play import-less but will be subjected to a fine by the PBA.

They can still reactivate Robinson but I don't know how GR3 is still able to perform given that a knife, still dripping with blood, was just lodged on his back.

Option 3 is to drop Shabazz altogether and get another import.

Considering how Magnolia quickly, unceremoniously booted out GR3, I think they will try to save face and let this LOC play out.

THAT WILL BE AN UPHILL CLIMB.

Ben Alloul, whose sports agency announced last August 30 the signing of Shabazz Muhammad with Homenetmen, told me via email "There's nothing to report about it."

I interpret that as him saying, we have signed him. Period.

Per a source, Fiba usually allows a 7-day grace period for both parties in a contractual dispute to iron things out. Once that time has lapsed and no progress is made then an arbitration ensues.

PHOTO: PBA Images

The Lebanese team, assuming Shabazz did sign a contract as announced, will then seek a buyout figure.

The idea that Lebanon will just release Shabazz out of the goodness of its heart is far-fetched, Doing so would make their federation look weak while creating a bad precedent of allowing a foreign player to just renege on a promise.

Lebanon is a giant in the basketball community. Hagop Khajirian is Lebanese. He is the Fiba executive director for Asia and CEO of the Fiba Asia Secretariat. Hagop, incidentally, is also a former player who once suited up for the Homenetmen.

While a dumpster fire continues to inhale oxygen outside their headquarters, Magnolia management, including coach Chito Victolero, has refused to talk to the media.

I wonder why.

2024-09-09T16:15:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd