Hontiveros traded to Aces
-A A +AFriday, August 31, 2012
ALASKA traded Wesley Gonzalez and Hans Thiele for veteran Dondon Hontiveros from Petron. Alaska Aces General Manager Joaqui Trillo said that Hontiverso will be a great addition to the team.
“Although approaching the twilight of his career, we believe Dondon still has a great game and will open things up for us with his great shooting and occasional penetration. Plus he is a good defender and has strong leadership skills.”
The Aces have opted to reinforce their 2012-2013 season line up by adding a couple of veteran Alaska balik-players in Nic Belasco and Eddie Laure who are already familiar with Alaska’s philosophy and system. Together with the rest of the core team that includes Sonny Thoss, Cyrus Baguio, Tony de la Cruz, Brandon Cablay, Mac Baracael, Paolo Bugia, Nino Gelig, Bonbon Custodio, Gabby Espinas, Sam Eman, RJ Jazul and rookies Calvin Abueva and Raffy Reyes, Alaska expects to regain its winning form this season.
The Alaska Aces surprised many by trading point guard LA Tenorio for JV Casio and a second round pick in 2013.
Tenorio, fresh from his heroics at the Jones Cup, will be replaced by All Star vote leader JV Casio who will have some big shoes to fill. Contrary to earlier reports, the trade was not sparked by Tenorio's participation in the Jones Cup. Tenorio together with Thoss and Baracael were given the green light to participate and support the National team. "We have been approached by many teams for LA and they have all been denied because we felt LA was an integral part of our team."
"However, looking forward, we also see the promise of JV and feel he can bring a lot to Alaska. So we are taking a leap of faith but a calculated one," Trillo added. Tenorio was the MVP at the recently concluded Jones Cup in Taiwan where the Philippine Team won the gold medal.
Earlier it had been reported that Alaska management was not keen to lend its players to the national pool considering the sacrifices it has made supporting past national teams and given the Aces poor showing last season. (PR)
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on September 01, 2012.
Sports
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