PBA: Petron sends Marc Agustin to Barako Bull for Chico Lanete

The PBA approved Monday the trade of Petron Blaze Boosters forward Marc Agustin to the Barako Bull Energy in exchange for guard Chico Lanete, the league office confirmed.  

Approved trade as of March 19, 2012: Mark Agustin to Barako l Chico Lanete to Petron — pbaconnect (@pbaconnect) March 19, 2012

The trade breaks up the father-son combo of Petron head coach Ato Agustin and his son Marc. The younger Agustin played in four games this conference, starting in each outing, with numbers of 3.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.75 assists and 0.5 steals in 21 minutes.   On the other hand, it was a short stint for Lanete as a member of the Energy. Lanete was traded to Barako Bull from the Meralco Bolts prior to the start of the Commissioner's Cup, but the move clearly did not work for the journeyman guard, as his averages slumped to 1.29 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.71 assists and 1.0 steals in 18.86 minutes over seven games.   It is the latest in a series of roster moves for Petron, as the 3-4 squad tries to find the best combination of players in order to stay alive in the hunt for a playoff spot.   Last week, the squad released high-scoring import Nick Fazekas, signing the unheralded Chinese Basketball Association veteran Will McDonald in his place.   In addition, Petron consultant Rajko Toroman revealed in a radio interview that the team may also add former Powerade Tiger RJ Rizada to their line-up in time for tomorrow's game, ironically, against Barako Bull, which also has a similar 3-4 card. Rizada had been playing with the Asean Basketball League's San Miguel Beermen, but the team previously signed veteran Roger Yap, formerly of the B-MEG Llamados, making him expendable.   The Petron Blaze Boosters, B-MEG Llamados and the SMB Beermen are all owned by the San Miguel Corporation.   Another reason for the string of personnel decisions for Petron is likely the extended absence of rookie Chris Lutz. Lutz started the first two games of the conference but hasn't been seen since, due to an injury that is expected to keep him out for at least three more weeks.   Petron had earlier tried to swing a controversial trade of Nonoy Baclao and Rey Guevarra for Powerade's Marcio Lassiter, only for PBA Commissioner Chito Salud to quash the deal. - Adrian M. Dy/OMG, GMA News