Magnolia has been relatively successful so far in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup but it seems like it was still not enough to keep the team from searching for ways to improve.
Magnolia has been relatively successful so far in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup but it seems like it was still not enough to keep the team from searching for ways to improve.
The Hotshots went much younger on the frontcourt after getting themselves another promising big man in William Navarro who Magnolia acquired from NorthPort in exchange of veteran forward Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza and a 51st season second round.
The deal was consummated on Tuesday, May 27, giving head coach Chito Victolero and the league-leading Magnolia another versatile big they could pair to another young center in Zav Lucero and veteran Ian Sangalang.
Interestingly, it was a reunion for Lucero and Navarro who were once also teammates at the Batang Pier before the Hotshots acquired the former in exchange of Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter July last year.
The trade, however, came as a shocker for NorthPort, which let go its leading scorer so far in the conference and at a time when there’s also some uncertainties to the future of main Arvin Tolentino with the team.
Through seven games, Navarro is averaging 20.57 points and 10.57 rebounds – both the fourth best in each category in the league.
On the other hand, Calvin Abueva is putting up 8.38 points and 5.38 rebounds while Balanza was seldom utilized by Magnolia.
At NorthPort, Abueva gets reunited with former teammate Jio Jalalon while Balanza found himself back in Batang Pier uniform which he last donned in 2022 before he was shipped to Converge.
