PBA: Barako Bull reacquires Willie Miller, sends GlobalPort Enrico Villanueva

Barako Bull Energy Cola reacquired two-time MVP Willie Miller in a deal with the GlobalPort Batang Pier, who took back center Enrico Villanueva, the PBA confirmed Monday, via their official Twitter account.

The Office of the Comm. has approved the trade between GlobalPort's Willie Miller and Hans Thiele for Barako Bull's Enrico Villanueva.

— pbaconnect (@pbaconnect) November 4, 2013

In addition to Miller, GlobalPort also sent seldom-used big man Hans Thiele to Barako.

It's official! Hello Global Port Batang Pier!

— enrico villanueva (@enricov14) November 3, 2013

Villanueva had hinted at the trade by tweeting out “It’s official! Hello Global Port Batang Pier!” on Sunday. He also appeared with the GlobalPort players during the 2013 PBA Draft.

Miller previously spent the 2011-12 season with Barako, during the squad’s “Manong Republic” run, which saw them reach the semifinals of the 2012 Commissioner’s Cup. He was then dealt as part of a multi-team trade to GlobalPort prior to the start of the 2012-13 season, ironically, with Villanueva also moving, from Ginebra to Barako.

In 38 games with GlobalPort, Miller normed 11.24 points, 4.32 rebounds and 3.50 assists, oftentimes coming off the bench in support of Gary David and Sol Mercado.

Thiele on the other hand, an undrafted player from 2010, figured in three games with the Batang Pier, putting up 1.33 points and 0.67 rebounds.

Villanueva meanwhile had a bit of a career resurgence during the elimination round of the 2012-13 Philippine Cup, norming 14.1 points and 9.0 rebounds over a nine-game stretch. However, he tore his ACL, and only returned during the 2013 Governors’ Cup, where he put up 2.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in five games.

Barako and GlobalPort were also active during draft day, as a series of moves saw the Batang Pier acquire Barako Bull’s fifth and sixth overall picks, which they used to draft the FEU Tamaraws duo of Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia.  - AMD, GMA News