San Miguel Beermen Basketball Games Updates

Jay Washington Excited to Join San Miguel Beermen Camp

I was one of the fans who are rooting to get Jason Castro or any talented rookie in the 2008 Annual Rookie Draft so that the basketball team can start infusing young blood in its roster.

Enter the surprise trade and Jason Castro was gone and Jay Washington from Talk and Text enters into the picture. Personally, I don't like Jay Washington's game but that's the way things goes with what the San Miguel management's decision.

Too bad for me, I'm not the owner of the San Miguel Beermen franchise. But as in any person, I'm giving Jay Washington another chance to shine with the San Miguel Beermen. He showed some promise last year during the 2007 Fiesta Conference when he was given the time to play when the superstars of the Talk and Text Phone Pals were lent to the National Team specially big man Asi Taulava.

To Jay Washington, show us what stuff you are really made of. Oh, before I forget, I forgot to mention that you were part of the First Mythical Team in the 2006-2007 PBA Season. So that should give us a clue as to what you can give.

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Washington excited to join SanMig

Source: Manila Bulletin Online
September 4, 2008
By Waylon Galvez

Forward Jay Washington is looking forward for a fresh start when he suits up for San Miguel Beermen in the coming PBA season.

Washington was shipped by Talk 'N Text -- his home for three years -- to San Miguel Beermen during the Rookie Draft last Sunday in favor of the latter's No. 3 pick.

"He's happy to be with San Miguel Beermen," Charlie Dy, who represents Washington, said yesterday. "He can't wait to play, he's excited and he hopes to contribute in San Miguel's basketball campaign."

The 6-foot-6 Washington, the former Eckerd College stalwart, will be back in the country this weekend after a vacation in the United States.

The addition of Washington, who is expected to get near the maximum salary spread over three years, will improve the guard and forward rotations of SMB basketball coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Tanquincen denied reports they will use Washington only as a trade bait, saying they want to make full use of his basketball talent.

"We'll definitely use him. No plans of a trade," said Tanquingcen. "Washington is a type of player who can play 2, 3 and 4 basketball positions. Definitely, he's a good addition to our team (formerly Magnolia Beverage Masters)."

Washington's arrival to SMB also came at a time when the basketball team is looking for a substitute for Danny Ildefonso who is still recuperating from surgeries on both ankles to remove bone spurs.

The former two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) will be out for at least four months.

"That's why the trade made sense because we want somebody who can fill the void while Danny is out," he added.

San Miguel Beermen will be Washington's third basketball team. He was originally Air21's No.1 pick overall during the 2006 Rookie Draft, but he was traded to TNT where he signed a three-year basketball contract, which expired last August 15.

He is likely to share playing minutes with Danny Seigle, Lordy Tugade and Wesley Gonzales.

A member of the First Mythical Team during the 2006-07 Season, Washington ranked 12th overall among the top performers of the previous season averaging almost 12 points, six rebounds and two assists in 32 games with the Pals.

Meantime, TNT has signed forward Rob Reyes, its No. 4 pick overall, to a maximum allowable deal for a rookie.

The deal is worth P8.7 million in three years, where the one-time stalwart of Harbour Center stands to receive P150, 000 in his first year (2008-09), P225, 000 in the second year (2009-10) and a maximum of P350, 000 in the final year (2010-11).

TNT is also negotiating with three other rookies, Fil-Am forward Jared Dillinger, the No. 2 pick overall in the Draft, Jason Castro (No. 3) and Pong Escobal (No. 11).