The news was confirmed by Elite team manager Patrick Aquino, who stated that Blair’s injury is “nothing serious,” but the management wants their team to be fully equipped for the next leg of the season. At third place, this is the highest quarterfinals entry for the Elite in franchise history, currently holding seven wins and only four losses. Blackwater head coach Alex Dimaunahan also told ESPN5, “[Smith] will be a great help for our campaign with what he can bring to the table, and experience-wise and skills around the paint and post area,” adding, “Greg’s a workhorse kind of a player as well and an NBA vet so we are all excited and hoping we could perform better. He’s a great team player as well so we are all excited to welcome him back.”
When Smith played with Blackwater back in 2017, he averaged 27.7 points, 21.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, but failed to bring his team to the quarterfinals, as they finished with a three-win eight-loss record. However, former Gilas Pilipinas Coach Chot Reyes still brought him on to become a naturalized player for the national team that same year.
It is confirmed that Smith has arrived in the Philippines, coming from playing with Vaqueros de Bayamon in Puerto Rico. Formerly, he participated in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves.
He is expected to make his 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup debut on Saturday, July 20, as Blackwater is facing either Magnolia or San Miguel for Game 1 of the playoff series. At third place, this is the highest quarterfinals entry for the Elite in franchise history.