Trades continue: Villanueva, Alvarez to Kings; Artadi, Reavis to Giants

Just when everybody thought the trade transactions are over, a three-team multi-player transaction took place a day after the Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft. Barangay Ginebra, Purefoods and Burger King agreed to trade players before sunset Monday, a move that would somehow bolster their respective chances in the league’s 35th season this October. Ginebra beefed up its frontline with the inclusion of Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez and Paolo Bugia and added a veteran presence in guard Celino Cruz. The Gin Kings also secured the services of Cholo Villanueva, a sophomore guard from Burger King. Villanueva and Alvarez, long-time teammates and members of the Ateneo’s 2002 UAAP champion squad, would help reinforce the weakening frontline of the Kings. Cruz would bring his toughness to Ginebra’s backcourt and complement Jayjay Helterbrand, Mark Caguioa, Ronald Tubid and Chris Pacana and new recruit Villanueva. But the Gin Kings gave up speedy guard Paul Artadi, rookie quarterback Chris Timberlake, neophyte Orlando Daroya, veteran slotman Rafi Reavis and a future pick. Artadi would have a reunion of sorts with his old team Purefoods, which had also re-acquired forward Marc Pingris in a separate trade. The Giants would also get Timberlake, a promising newcomer, who caught the fancy of the management and coaching staff, as well as Reavis, whose defensive presence would give the squad a new look in the coming season. Burger King acted as conduit and the Whopper got in return the flexible Daroya and future picks. And the team was pleased to get Daroya, according to Burger King board representative Lito Alvarez. “The coaching staff was very impressed with Daroya’s performance in the (rookie) camp. Siya ‘yung isa sa may pinakamagandang ipinakita," said Alvarez. The incoming PBA chairman also added that the Whopper presented top overall rookie pick Japeth Aguilar with a three-year maximum offer. The 6’9" Aguilar would get P150,000 in the first year, P225,000 in the second year and P337,500 on his third year. Alvarez added that his team now has a total of 14 players, making Kenneth Bono and Carlo Sharma as the 13th and 14th cagers on the list. - GMANews.TV