Hotshots ship Abueva to NorthPort

Magnolia shipped veteran forward Calvin Abueva as part of a package deal to acquire NorthPort rising star Will Navarro in a huge Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) trade.

The Hotshots’ roster shakeup included giving the Batang Pier Jerrick Balanza and their second round pick in the Season 51 Draft in exchange for the young and versatile big man.

The PBA Commissioner’s Office approved the trade Tuesday afternoon.

Abueva, a two-time Best Player of the Conference winner, is joining his third team since being selected second overall pick in the 2012 Draft by Alaska.

The 2013 Rookie of the Year was traded in 2018 to Phoenix before finding his way to Magnolia in 2021.

Navarro, who was NorthPort’s second overall pick in the special round of the 2021 Draft, will bring energy and ceiling to the Hotshots in their bid to rule the ongoing Philippine Cup.

Magnolia is currently leading the pack in the all-Filipino tournament with a 7-1 win-loss record and is assured of a seat in the quarterfinals.

The Ateneo de Manila University product Navarro will reunite with former Batang Pier teammate Zav Lucero, who was traded to Magnolia last year for Abu Tratter and Jio Jalalon.

Balanza, on the other hand, has been in NorthPort after getting shipped by Barangay Ginebra for a swap of picks in the 2021 Draft.