Rich transfer: Red Bull sends Alvarez to Purefoods

MANILA, Philippines - Rich Alvarez became the latest player to be traded by Red Bull as it sent the former Ateneo de Manila stalwart to Purefoods in a deal consummated late Thursday night. The six-foot-four Alvarez, a former UAAP Most Valuable Player and former Philippine Basketball Association Rookie of the Year, was dealt to the Giants in exchange for their first-round pick in 2011. But he won't be playing in an official Purefoods game until Friday next week when the team plays Talk N Text. The trade marked the third time Red Bull gave away a key player this year after Junthy Valenzuela (Ginebra) and Mick Pennisi (San Miguel). Over at Purefoods, Alvarez will be reunited with fellow Atenean and former Red Bull teammates Enrico Villanueva and Paolo Bugia. Another one-time Bulls teammate now also with the Giants is guard Topex Robinson. The entry of Alvarez in the Giants' roster is expected to boost Purefoods' inside game that was badly hurt by the sudden exit of Romel Adducul. Alvarez was tabbed the no. 1 pick by Formula Shell in the 2004 Draft ahead of Giants star player James Yap. Following the disbandment of the franchise a year later, Alvarez was traded to Alaska. He played for only a conference with the Aces before being shipped to Red Bull. - GMANews.TV