MANILA, Philippines — Stung by an early defeat, B-Meg Derby Ace has ditched its import and will have a new one when it tackles Powerade Saturday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mindanao Civic Center Gym in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

Apparently unhappy after a 95-94 defeat to Rain or Shine, a team they had no problem beating the past two seasons, the Llamados acted quickly and decided to replace Robert Brown with 24-year-old Shamari Spears who played two years in Boston College and two years with Charlotte University.

The out-of-town game between the Tigers and the Llamados presented by Phoenix Fuel is scheduled at 5 p.m.

Like B-Meg, Powerade also dropped its opening game, 106-82, against Alaska Milk, but it has retained its import, Russel Carter, who impressed Tigers management by scoring 34 points and hauling down 17 rebounds in his debut.

Powerade also shot 28-of-77 (36.4%) from the field and committed 24 turnovers, disappointing figures which coach Bo Perasol said is likely to improve in the coming days.

“I know that my team is going to be better,” he said.

Meanwhile, Brown actually had a decent outing with B-Meg, collecting 29 points with 11 boards, but shot 11-of-19 (57.9%) from the free throw line. But B-Meg wanted more from an import.

They hope to have that with Spears, who averaged almost 15 points and six rebounds during his college career.

Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin