SMB coach mum on trade talks, discloses imports on backup list

The San Miguel Beer coaching staff has remained silent over reports that the team is unloading some of its veteran players in exchange for young talents. But the Beermen disclosed plans to possibly tap either of two imports currently on their backup list. Sacramento State Hornets stalwart Jason Davis and former Seattle Supersonics draftee David Young head the list of backup imports of the Beermen, who are currently reinforced by Ira Brown. Brown failed to impress the San Miguel coaching staff, prompting them to look for other candidates. "They are the two players on our priority list," San Miguel coach Ato Agustin told GMA News. "But I would like to make it clear that Brown is also improving in our tune-up games and practices. We told him about the role of the import in the PBA, and he’s adjusting. Still, kailangan pa rin naming talaga ng backup." The 25-year-old Davis is listed as a 6-foot-5 small forward. He played college ball for the Sacramento State Hornets where he averaged 7.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in 21 games in the 2007-2008 season. A player with a decent touch from the perimeter, Davis played in Portugal where he averaged 14.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game and appeared in the Portuguese Leage All-Star Game two years ago. Young is also listed as a 6-foot-5 swingman. Drafted in the NBA in 2004 by the Sonics (now known as the Oklahoma Thunder) and signed to a contract but waived a month later, Young played in Greece, where he led the league in scoring with an average of 20.5 points per game while suiting up for Trikala. A cousin of American Football player Leon Washington of the Seattle Seahawks, Young also played in the NBA D-League where he finished the season second in scoring average with 18.5 points per game. Agustin, however, explained that Brown, who finished second in the Mexican League with a 25-point average per game, will play in the Beermen’s game against the Air21 Express on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. "Whether Brown will stay for good or play for a few games depends on his performance, of course," added Agustin, one of the league’s 25 Greatest Players. But Agustin shrugs off trade rumors involving his veteran players. "Wala, wala akong alam dyan. Wala akong nababalitaan," said Agustin. - KY, JVP, Rey Joble, GMA News