(Screengrab from PTV)
MANILA – In what seemed like a shocker for Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) fans, Phoenix traded Calvin Abueva to Magnolia for Chris Banchero.
The PBA trade committee announced on Wednesday the approval of the said swap, which also involved draft picks in this year's draft.
Both teams swapped turns in choosing in the first round of the regular draft.
The Fuel Masters will now be selecting sixth overall in the draft, while the Hotshots slipped to the number 10 pick.
Phoenix also acquired Magnolia's second round pick, slated at number 18.
Abueva will be reuniting with former San Sebastian teammate Ian Sangalang at the Hotshots camp as the tandem will now look to carry their championship glory in college basketball during the late 2000s and in early 2010 to the pros.
However, the acquisition of Abueva came as a major surprise as he was just fresh from signing a three-year max salary deal with the Fuel Masters, who came just close to making the PBA Finals last year.
Meanwhile, Banchero will now join a guard-loaded Phoenix roster led by main man Matt Wright and Brian Heruela. (PNA)
