Incoming San MIguel Beerman JM Calma. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — The San Miguel Beermen recently acquired a promising young big in JM Calma after their deal with the NorthPort Batang Pier.

Previously parading a frontline that has June Mar Fajardo, Mo Tautuaa, and Rodney Brondial, the Leo Austria-mentored team will now have the 6-foot-6, athletic big in Calma after they sent Avan Nava and a Season 50 second-round pick to NorthPort.

However, Calma said that the move completely surprised him, as he was still on the verge of making his return after a year-long recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

“Nagpa-practice pa ako sa NorthPort, two weeks na, tapos sinabi na sa akin,” said Calma, who was in uniform but did not play in SMB’s 98-89 victory over the NorthPort Batang Pier last Saturday.

The Season 47 Rookie Draft’s sixth overall pick was starting to find his groove with the Batang Pier before his injury during the 2024 Philippine Cup, putting up 7.9 points on top of 5.0 rebounds. That is why for Calma, his transfer to SMB brought him "mixed emotions."

“Mixed emotions eh,” he pointed out. “May masaya, may sad, pero ganun talaga, we need to move on. Kung saan ako nilagay ng Panginoon, doon ako mag fo-focus."

For now, Calma is looking to finally complete his rehabilitation just as patiently as he is looking forward to getting the trust of Austria and his newest teammates in San Miguel.