Calvin Abueva is off to the Magnolia Hotshots after being traded for point guard Chris Banchero in the upcoming draft, Phoenix Fuel Masters team manager Paolo Bugia confirmed to ESPN5.com on Wednesday.
Additionally, the Fuel Masters sent their first round pick (10th) to the Hotshots in exchange for Magnolia's first and second round picks (sixth and 18th) in next month's rookie draft. The deal has been approved by the PBA Trade Committee.
"It was not an easy decision to let go of a player like Calvin, considering he has been through thick and thin with Phoenix," the team said in a statement.
"Yet, at the same time, we are excited to acquire a first-round pick from a very deep draft, and together with Chris Banchero, who is a superstar in his own right, the team has a great opportunity to grow in the years to come," the statement added.
Coming off a suspension that lasted over a year, Abueva, with minimal head start, still managed to put up gaudy numbers and earn a nomination for the Best Player of the Conference in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup. The Fuel Masters had signed him to a fresh three-year deal in December.
Abueva averaged 15.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.7 steals in 12 games played for the Fuel Masters.
Banchero, on the other hand, is on the move again after being acquired for Rodney Brondial and Robbie Herndon from Alaska in Nov. 2019.
The Fil-Am guard normed 10.8 markers, 2.9 boards, and 3.5 dimes in 12 games played in the bubble.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, in an interview with News5's Lyn Olavario, said the trade caught them by surprise.
"Everyone was surprised," Victolero said. "But that's how it is. When they asked me if I wanted to, I said of course. Who would say no to Calvin? He fills the position that we lack. We play multiple positions, and that's what I've been looking for, and that's a big addition for us. He can play the two, three and four. He makes our team more versatile - we can play big and small, and we can match up with anyone size-wise."
The deal sets up a reunion between Abueva and Ian Sangalang -- two of the three members of the famed _Pinatubo Trio_, the imposing front court of the San Sebastian Stags at the turn of the 2010s decade.
It is Banchero's third team in over a year after staying with Alaska for his first five seasons in the PBA.
The deal sets up a potential reunion between Abueva and Ian Sangalang, two of the three members of the famed Pinatubo Trio, the imposing front court of the San Sebastian Stags of the late 2000s that won an NCAA title in 2009.
It is Banchero's third team in over a year after staying with Alaska for his first five seasons in the PBA.