Filtered By: Sports
Sports

Magnolia, Alaska in 4-player blockbuster swap


MANILA, Philippines - Powerhouse teams Magnolia and Alaska beefed up their respective lineups in time for the coming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) import-laden Fiesta Cup. A statement on the PBA Web site (www.pba.ph) said Alaska strengthened its backcourt with Lewis Alfred "LA" Tenorio and Larry Alexander Fonacier, while Magnolia powered up its frontline with Ken Bono and Mike Cortez. The PBA said the two teams closed the deal late Wednesday and are expected to forward the trade papers to the PBA Commissioner's Office after the Holy Week. While the 6'4" Bono is the 2006 Universities Athletics Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player in men's basketball, he spent most of the first conference on Aces' bench. He had to play behind center-forwards Joachim "Sonny" Thoss, Reynel Hugnatan and fellow rookie Joseph Ronald Quiñahan at Alaska. On the other hand, the 6'1" Fonacier, 24, was Rookie of the Year in 2005 but had to split time with Lordy Tugade, Christian Calaguio and Wesley Gonzales at Magnolia. Fonacier and the 5'8" Tenorio, 22, were members of the Ateneo team that topped the 2002 UAAP men's basketball tournament. Alaska general manager Joaqui Trillo said both Alaska and Magnolia would benefit from the trade according. "We get a pure point guard in LA (Tenorio) ... We expect him to excel especially in the triangle offense of coach Tim Cone. Larry (Fonacier) gives us help at the two spot where he will back up Jeff (Cariaso). The two players will definitely help Alaska a lot," he said on the Alaska Aces Web site (www.alaskaaces.com.ph). Trillo said the Magnolia Beverage Masters also got good players in the former Alaska Aces in return. "Of course Mike (Cortez) is also a good player who has played well for Alaska all these years ... and Ken (Bono) has the potential to become a star in the PBA. So Magnolia also gained a lot from this trade. We wish Mike and Ken all the best with their new team," he said. At Alaska, Tenorio and Fonacier will be reunited with former Ateneo coach Joel Banal, a member of Alaska's coaching staff. Banal piloted Ateneo to the 2002 UAAP championship. The PBA site said Cortez is bringing over to Alaska his 12.7-point, 4.6-assist and 4.2-rebound averages last conference. Tenorio played an average of 25.5 minutes for Magnolia in the last tournament, posting respectable averages of 7.8 points, 4.6 assists and 3.6 rebounds in nine starts. "It's a win-win deal. We let Ken Bono go as he could get more playing time with Magnolia," said Trillo. Before Fonacier, Alaska never had a pure outside shooter in its lineup. Fonacier, now in his third year in the pros, is likely to play the role used to be assigned to Isabelo "Jojo" Lastimosa Jr. On the other hand, Tenorio is a pure point guard who could make life easier for Willie Miller, the reigning MVP, so he could concentrate on offense more. For his part, Cortez may be the heir apparent to veteran point guard Roderick "Olsen" Racela in the backcourt of Magnolia, the PBA's winningest franchise. - GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT