BREAKING NEWS: MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS OPTIONS FOR NOT TO BE IMPORT LESS VS TERRAFIRMA DYIP ON THURSDAY IS TO DROP SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD & FIND A NEW IMPORT OR REACTIVATE GLENN ROBINSON III..

The Magnolia Hotshots didn’t have a scheduled practice on Monday but import Shabazz Muhammad, who was brought in last Thursday to replace Glenn Robinson III, was present at shootaround

Barred from playing in last Saturday’s game in Davao versus Meralco because he has yet to secure a Letter of Clearance (LOC) from Fiba, Shabazz’s status for a game against Terrafirma this Thursday remains in limbo.

As of Monday night, a source from the Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP), which oversees the process, told me the LOC hasn’t arrived.

The Hotshots’ dilemma can be likened to a toxic relationship where a dude abandons a loyal partner and sweetheart only to find out that his new, ferocious love has commitment issues.

So where does Magnolia go from here?

While waiting for Muhammad’s LOC, they can continue to play import-less but will be subjected to a fine by the PBA.

They can still reactivate Robinson but I don’t know how GR3 is still able to perform given that a knife, still dripping with blood, was just lodged on his back.

Option 3 is to drop Shabazz altogether and get another import.

Considering how Magnolia quickly, unceremoniously booted out GR3, I think they will try to save face and let this LOC play out.