With an eye toward the future, the San Mig Coffee Mixers sent starting point guard Josh Urbiztondo to Barako Bull in exchange for a first round pick next year.
San Mig Coffee team executive Rene Pardo confirmed the news to InterAKTV in a telephone interview.
“We don’t have a first and second round picks next year, so we have to give something to gain something,” said Pardo, who added that it was Barako Bull which initiated the trade.
Barako Bull coach Junel Baculi confirmed that the team asked for Urbiztondo’s services because rookie guard Eman Monfort was injured.
“He dislocated his finger and he will be sidelined for the next three months,” said Baculi.
At Barako Bull, Urbiztondo joins a guard corps that includes veteran Celino Cruz and rookie Lester Alvarez.
Roger Yap, another former guard from the Purefoods franchise, has also been signed by Barako Bull.
The Energy Colas own four first round picks next year, owing to trades the franchise undertook when it was still known as the old Air 21 Express. To sweeten the pot, Barako Bull will give San Mig Coffee the option to pick which of its four first rounders to give in exchange for Urbiztondo.
“We have the option of picking which among the four picks will be given to us,” said Pardo.
With Urbiztondo’s departure, the ballhandling duties for the Mixers will fall on Mark Barroca, Jonas Villanueva, and newly-signed Chris Pacana.
-Rey Joble, InterAKTV
Here’s the new full-length commercial for the PBA 2013 season, which debuted during the league’s opening ceremonies on Sunday.
