KaTropa acquires DiGregorio from Elite

DiGregorio was plucked by Columbian from the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft. #MarkDigregorio #EliteTNTtrade

Brian Heruela (left) and Mark DiGregorio switch teams. (PBA)

TNT acquired Filipino-Italian gunner Mike DiGregorio from Blackwater to boost its firepower in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup.

KaTropa head coach Bong Ravena said DiGregorio would give them the outside shooting they need as they bid to dethrone Magnolia in this season-ending conference.

In return, the KaTropa will send Brian Heruela to the Elite in the trade that was consummated on Friday, but has yet to gain approval from the PBA Commissioner’s Office.

“Three-point shooting is a huge part of our offense,” said Ravena, who is banking on gunners like RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Jason Castro and Don Trollano to carry their offense in this conference, where they have yet to lose in seven games.

“We have identified Mike as one of the most consistent shooters in the league from the distance both off the dribble and off the pass. He spaces the floor well and gives more room for other players to attack.”

DiGregorio, who rose to become one of the league’s deadliest gunner after being plucked by Columbian with the 35th pick in the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft, is averaging 10 points on top of 65 percent shooting from the arc.

He said he’s looking forward to learning more from Castro.

“I’m really excited to play along such a great and unselfish player like him,” said DiGregorio

“He’s a multi-champion and has played in so many big games so I will definitely learn a lot from him.”

Meanwhile, it will be a homecoming from Heruela as he is set to suit up for the team that drafted him with the 26th pick in the 2014 Rookie Draft.