AIR21 STRIKES ANOTHER DEAL, GETS VILLANUEVA
Air21 isn’t done tinkering with its roster. In a trade approved by the PBA Tuesday morning, the Express acquired Enrico Villanueva from GlobalPort for Ronnie Matias and Carlo Sharma.
Dubbed as “The Raging Bull”, the 33-year-old Villanueva will be joining his seventh team after being selected as the seventh overall pick in the 2003 Draft.
The 6-foot-6 former Blue Eagle suited up for only one game in a GlobalPort jersey in the 2014 Philippine Cup, where he logged in a rebound in two minutes of play.
Villanueva has been slowed down by a slew of injuries the past few seasons, most notably a torn ACL in his right knee that has kept him on the sidelines since 2012.
“I’ve been eyeing him since the last conference. After Asi, we don’t really have a solid big guy, somebody who can adapt to the physicality in the PBA,” Express coach Franz Pumaren said. “He gives us additional depth in our big guys.”
“We’re looking at using him in the third conference. He’s still doing his rehab and we’re looking at preparing him for the next conference.”
Days before, Air21 also dealt hardworking forward Vic Manuel for Alaska’s Aldrech Ramos, and has also transacted with GlobalPort during the off-season where they netted Jonas Villanueva in a four-team trade.
Meanwhile, GlobalPort is getting Matias, averaging 1.8 points and 1.2 rebounds in seven minutes of play, and bruiser Sharma, logging 2.6 points and two rebounds in eight minutes of action.
Batang Pier coach Pido Jarencio said, “It’s the decision between the coaches and the management. Si Ronnie naman, makakatulong sya sa three-spot namin para may kapalitan si J-Wash.”
He added, “Masaya naman kami kasi balanced naman yung trade.”
When asked if the team is still active when it comes to player transactions, Jarencio said that GlobalPort is still dead set on righting their ship and building an identity for the team.
“So far, wala pa naman kaming tinitignang bagong trades. Ang aim pa rin namin dito ay yung ayusin yung team,” he said.
Curiously, Matias will be dealt for the second time in two conferences after suiting up for Rain or Shine and Air21. (RL)
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