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For Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior reporter
STAR forward Calvin Abueva heads to a new Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) team after he was traded to Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok on Wednesday.
In a surprise announcement, the league said the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters would send seven-time PBA All-Star Abueva to Magnolia in exchange for guard Chris Banchero and the first round (sixth overall) and second round (18) of the Hotshots.th overall pick) in this year’s rookie draft.
Magnolia will be the third team for Abueva, 33, after stops with Alaska (2012-18) and Phoenix (2018-2020).
The deal also included Magnolia getting the first-round pick from Phoenix (10th) in the draft of March 14.
It’s reportedly already approved by the league.
The trade came from left field considering Abueva had a stellar outing at last year’s PBA “bubble” tournament, where he helped the Fuel Masters come within one win of breaking into his first league final appearance.
He rejoined the team after being suspended by the league for more than a year for unprofessional conduct.
On his return, he was still his whole self, averaging 15.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.7 steals and was in the running for the best player in the conference.
He also kept his emotions in check throughout the tournament, even gaining consideration for the sportsmanship award.
Phoenix rewarded his efforts by re-signing him to a three-year contract in December.
Abueva said he appreciated the confidence Phoenix had given him and vowed to help the franchise win a championship.
Then, yesterday’s exchange happened.
With Magnolia, Mr. Abueva meets his San Sebastián teammate and Pampanga native Ian Sangalang. The two, along with Ronald Pascual, formed the “Pinatubo Trio” for the Stags, which took the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) by storm and saw them win the NCAA title in 2009.
Mr. Abueva also underpins the first Magnolia line, which includes Mr. Sangalang, Jackson Corpuz, Rome Dela Rosa, Aris Dionisio and Rafi Reavis.
The team also includes guards Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon and Justin Melton.
Magnolia said he welcomes development and hopes that Mr. Abueva will meet his needs at the forward position.
Mr. Banchero, meanwhile, saw his stay at Magnolia end after just one lecture and
a medium.
He was traded to the Alaska Hotshots at the end of the 2019 season. In the only PBA tournament last year, the former rookie fifth pick overall averaged 10.8 points, 3.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds.
In Phoenix, Mr. Banchero, 32, joins a backcourt team featuring RJ Jazul, Brian Heruela, Alex Mallari and Matthew Wright.
The Phoenix-Magnolia trade came just as teams are preparing for the sheer number of players in this year’s rookie draft.
A record 97 hopefuls have been nominated for the draft, which consists of outstanding collegiate and professional players and promising Fil-foreigners.
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