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[av_heading heading=’Chris Ellis’ absence puzzles Blackwater ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Blackwater Elite was left puzzled as Filipino-American forward Chris Ellis showed up only once four months since being traded by Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.
Elite team owner Dioceldo Sy said he felt Ellis lost his focus and desire to play after Kings traded him along with Dave Marcelo in exchange for Arthur Dela Cruz and Raymond Aguilar.
“I think he’s on the exit already (from) the PBA. I heard Ellis got some other plans already,” Sy said. “If you’re interested in playing, you have no choice but to follow the trade.”
“So far, sa past three years ko sa PBA, it’s only this time I found a player who doesn’t report after the trade. So we won’t force the issue,” he added. “He’s contract already expired but we cannot offer him anything since he is not showing up.”
After the trade in August, Ellis has not showed up for Elite team practice, claiming he was suffering from full body cramps and diagnosed with acute renal disease, a side effect of leptospirosis.
But Elite was recently informed that the former Gilas Pilipinas forward was already good to return to basketball.
Moreover, Sy said he placed Ellis on the trading block but no team seemed interested in acquiring his services, especially with reports that he was planning an early retirement.
“I’ve been asking around. I don’t think any of the [other] teams have shown any interest,” Sy said. “We offered some trades, but there’s no taker e. So let’s see what he will do with his career.”/PN
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