(From Business Mirror)
GARY DAVID’S wish finally came true—as a belated Christmas present.
The 31-year-old shooting guard out of Lyceum was at the center of a four-player trade between Burger King and Coca-Cola. The trade was consummated on Sunday night.
David returned to Coke, the team that took him 10th overall in the Philippine Basketball Associaiton (PBA) 2004 draft, along with point guard Chico Lanete. In return, the Whopper acquired left-handed playmaker Alex Cabagnot and Wesley Gonzales.
“Happy naman siya dahil matagal na talaga gusto niyang ma-trade,” said David’s agent Danny Espiritu.
“October pa ‘nang kinausap namin si Mr. Lito Alvarez [Burger King team manager] about Gary being traded. Inalok sa Ginebra at Purefoods pero hindi nag-prosper. Ngayon lang natuloy,” he added.
The deal was supposed to be a one-on-one trade between David and Cabagnot, but both teams decided to throw in Lanete and Gonzales.
With David, Coke got a consistent source of points.
“Mai-ease ang scoring burden kay Asi [Taulava] and our game will be more fluid because of Gary,” said Coke head coach Bo Perasol.
“We also felt that with this trade, our players will have a new and better understanding of our perspective, which is to get better, if not in this conference, then in the next,” he added.
Coke team manager JB Baylon said it was difficult for them to let go of Cabagnot and Gonzales, but the team has to make adjustments to be competitive.
“Mixed feelings, because our relationship with Alex and Wesley is on the professional and personal level. And letting go of our players is always tough,” said Baylon, whose team is currently ninth with a 3-10 record.
“I’m sure though that professionally, all four players and both teams will benefit from the trade,” he added.
Alvarez, also the season chairman, was satisfied with the transaction.
“We acquired a quality big man for a quality wingman,” said Alvarez of Cabagnot, who is currently No. 1 in assists in the Philippine Cup with 5.87 per game.
“Sa mga assessment kasi namin ni coach Yeng [Guiao], kailangan din namin ng isang defensive player who can guard the other teams’ wingmen and Wesley fits the bill. He’s tall, athletic and younger,” he added.
In Cabagnot, the Whopper got a reliable point guard that is missing in the team since Wynnie Arboleda started serving a one-season ban.
Lanete is actually returning to Burger King after stints with Purefoods and Ginebra.
Gonzales also returned to the franchise that tabbed him ninth in 2004. Cabagnot will play on his third team in five seasons. He was Sta. Lucia Realty’s No. 2 pick in 2005.
The contracts of all four players will expire in 2011, according to Espiritu.
GARY DAVID’S wish finally came true—as a belated Christmas present.
The 31-year-old shooting guard out of Lyceum was at the center of a four-player trade between Burger King and Coca-Cola. The trade was consummated on Sunday night.
David returned to Coke, the team that took him 10th overall in the Philippine Basketball Associaiton (PBA) 2004 draft, along with point guard Chico Lanete. In return, the Whopper acquired left-handed playmaker Alex Cabagnot and Wesley Gonzales.
“Happy naman siya dahil matagal na talaga gusto niyang ma-trade,” said David’s agent Danny Espiritu.
“October pa ‘nang kinausap namin si Mr. Lito Alvarez [Burger King team manager] about Gary being traded. Inalok sa Ginebra at Purefoods pero hindi nag-prosper. Ngayon lang natuloy,” he added.
The deal was supposed to be a one-on-one trade between David and Cabagnot, but both teams decided to throw in Lanete and Gonzales.
With David, Coke got a consistent source of points.
“Mai-ease ang scoring burden kay Asi [Taulava] and our game will be more fluid because of Gary,” said Coke head coach Bo Perasol.
“We also felt that with this trade, our players will have a new and better understanding of our perspective, which is to get better, if not in this conference, then in the next,” he added.
Coke team manager JB Baylon said it was difficult for them to let go of Cabagnot and Gonzales, but the team has to make adjustments to be competitive.
“Mixed feelings, because our relationship with Alex and Wesley is on the professional and personal level. And letting go of our players is always tough,” said Baylon, whose team is currently ninth with a 3-10 record.
“I’m sure though that professionally, all four players and both teams will benefit from the trade,” he added.
Alvarez, also the season chairman, was satisfied with the transaction.
“We acquired a quality big man for a quality wingman,” said Alvarez of Cabagnot, who is currently No. 1 in assists in the Philippine Cup with 5.87 per game.
“Sa mga assessment kasi namin ni coach Yeng [Guiao], kailangan din namin ng isang defensive player who can guard the other teams’ wingmen and Wesley fits the bill. He’s tall, athletic and younger,” he added.
In Cabagnot, the Whopper got a reliable point guard that is missing in the team since Wynnie Arboleda started serving a one-season ban.
Lanete is actually returning to Burger King after stints with Purefoods and Ginebra.
Gonzales also returned to the franchise that tabbed him ninth in 2004. Cabagnot will play on his third team in five seasons. He was Sta. Lucia Realty’s No. 2 pick in 2005.
The contracts of all four players will expire in 2011, according to Espiritu.
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