PBA: GlobalPort keeps dealing, sends Holstein to San Mig Coffee for Chua, Najorda

The GlobalPort Batang Pier aren’t quite through constructing their roster yet, agreeing in principle to a trade that would send Isaac Holstein, the seventh overall pick in the 2013 PBA Draft, to the San Mig Coffee Mixers, in exchange for reserve swingman Leo Najorda and the 10th overall pick, Justin Chua.

GlobalPort owner Mikee Romero confirmed the trade to GMA News Online, but the PBA has yet to formally approve the deal as of writing.

San Mig Coffee was said to have been very high on the 6’9” Holstein, who had a short stint as a Gilas cadet, but the team was unable to pick him at the 10th spot, due to the Batang Pier tabbing him up three slots prior. The reigning Governors’ Cup champs instead settled for the 6’5” Chua, who had a spectacular PBA-DL stint, after five years with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.

Najorda meanwhile, was acquired by San Mig Coffee prior to the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup, to give them some extra scoring punch off the bench, but he never really cracked their rotation, with another trade acquisition during the third conference, Allein Maliksi, being featured instead.

The San Sebastian College product normed a career-low 3.79 points this past season but could stand to get more playing time with the Batang Pier.

At GlobalPort, Chua will be reunited with collegiate teammate Nico Salva, and rivals RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo, the latter two coming from FEU. - Carlo Pamintuan / AMD, GMA News