Meralco Bolts, the youngest franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association, is at the trading table once more.
On Tuesday, the Bolts acquired the services of veteran forward Reynel Hugnatan from the Alaska Aces. The 6-foot-4 forward was picked up by Meralco in exchange for rookie Hans Thiele and Paolo Bugia.
The trade was approved by PBA commissioner Chito Salud.
"Yes, that is a fair trade. No team is disadvantaged," said Salud in a text message to GMA News.
Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio confirmed the trade, saying Hugnatan's ability to play physical basketball is the reason why his team took in the multi-titled lefty forward.
"It was a deal that is beneficial for both teams. They (Alaska) need Thiele and Bugia, who are big men with perimeter skills while Hugnatan will surely be an asset to us because of his solid frame and ability to play physical basketball," said Gregorio in a text message.
Alaska mentor Tim Cone has a more extensive explanation regarding the trade.
"First of all, it brings us salary cap relief and an opportunity to put some deserving players like Brandon (Cablay) and Mike Burtscher on the active roster. We've also felt that both Thiele and Bugia are Triangle-like players and have the potential to really succeed in the system," said Cone, the winningest coach among active bench tacticians in the PBA.
- Rey Joble, GMA News
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