Beermen ship Espinas for Nabong

NABONG , ESPINAS Reigning champion San Miguel Beer bolstered its frontline as it acquired big man Kelly Nabong from Globalport in exchange for veteran slotman Gabby Espinas in a shocking trade yesterday in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The PBA Commissioner’s Office immediately approved the deal that also involved the Beermen’s second-round pick in 2020.

It was the second time in three days for Globalport to figure in a trade after shipping rookie Julian Sargent to Barangay Ginebra in exchange for Paolo Taha last Tuesday.

Currently at fifth place with a 4-4 win-loss slate, San Miguel’s title-retention bid got an added lift with the arrival of Nabong, who is averaging 7.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Batang Pier.

San Miguel will be his third team in a year after being dropped by Meralco last year and eventually picked up in free agency by the Batang Pier, where he played for only seven months.

Picked as the 17th overall in 2012 PBA Rookie Draft, the 6-foot-5 Nabong will join a loaded Beermen frontline led by four-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) June Mar Fajardo, top rookie Christian Standhardinger, former MVP Arwind Santos and prized import Renaldo Balkman.

The 36-year old Espinas’ PBA journey, meanwhile, continues after being sent to his eighth team in 12 years.

Espinas is coming off a minor knee injury, making it hard for him to crack into San Miguel’s rotation.

He is now expected to make an impact to the young frontline of Sean Anthony, Mo Tautuaa and Bradwyn Guinto together with import Malcolm White.