MANILA, Philippines – Shabazz Muhammad is back in the PBA as Magnolia tapped the former NBA player as an import replacement in the middle of the Governors’ Cup.
The Hotshots brought in Muhammad ahead of their out-of-town clash against Meralco in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, on Saturday, September 7, after relegating fellow NBA veteran Glenn Robinson III to the injured/reserve list.
Muhammad is no stranger to the PBA as he suited up for San Miguel in the 2021-2022 Governors’ Cup, leading the Beermen to the quarterfinals.
A six-season NBA veteran who played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks, Muhammad averaged 35.3 points, 18 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1 block in four games during his first PBA stint.
His finest PBA performance came in a come-from-behind 115-110 win over the Bolts, with Muhammad churning out 57 points and 19 rebounds.
Magnolia made the import switch after an up-and-down start in the elimination round that saw the team compile a 3-2 record in Group A.
Robinson averaged solid numbers of 24.2 points, 11 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.8 steals, but the Hotshots alternated losses and wins in their first four games before finally getting back-to-back triumphs after beating NorthPort, 105-94, last Wednesday, September 4.
Magnolia looks to make it three in a row as it meets a Meralco side that won its last three games. – Rappler.com