[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’‘Tanking’ Mahindra sends Guinto to NLEX ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
MANILA – The Mahindra Floodbuster is not yet done with its surprising off-season moves as it traded center Bradwyn Guinto to the NLEX Road Warriors in a two-team, four-player trade.
Aside from Guinto, the Floodbuster has also let go of three-point sniper Chito Jaime while getting rookie Reden Celda and reserve wingman Jeckster Apinan in return from the Road Warriors.
The said trade is just one of the three pending transactions by the Floodbuster, after acquiring Alex Mallari and reserve guard Ryan Araña in a three-team trade that sent Aldrech Ramos to the Star Hotshots and RR Garcia to the San Miguel Beermen.
The Floodbuster is also shipping away another key player in Juan Paolo Taha in a two team, three-player trade with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in exchange for Franklin Bonifacio and Dennice Villamor, who are both reserve players.
Many have been surprised with Floodbuster’s moves these past few days as it is slowly tore apart the lineup that made possible its first-ever PBA playoffs appearance after entering the league just two years ago.
Aside from Guinto and Taha, the Floodbuster also lost its local leading scorer Rommel Niño Canaleta, who is currently negotiating a contract with the GlobalPort Batang Pier.
Meanwhile, Road Warriors head coach Yeng Guiao has welcomed the arrival of Guinto to his squad saying that the Filipino-Canadian center could be developed to replace the aging center Asi Taulava and Enrico Villanueva.
“Kung established big man na kasi yung gusto mong kunin (sa ibang team), baka hindi ibigay sa iyo,” Guiao said. “That’s why we’re taking the risk of getting a project player like Guinto, who is young and can still be developed.”
“I’m not saying we’re phasing out Asi and Enrico, that’s not the right term. But it’s more of a gradual turnover of roles among the big men,” he added. “We want Asi and Enrico to play limited minutes and allow these young players to play major roles.”/PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
