Hotshots pull off major deal

PHOTO: SPIN.PH

MAGNOLIA finally unloaded Jio Jalalon to Northport to get its hands on sophomore big man Zav Lucero.

Also part of the major trade that happened a day after the PBA Season 49 Draft was Abu Tratter, who will now go to NorthPort.

The PBA trade committee has already approved the deal.

Jalalon, long at the center of trade rumors, was finally unloaded as Magnolia begins to revamp a roster that has more runner-up finishes than championships won the past five years.

The former Arellano star will have a ready replacement in the backcourt in Jerom Lastimosa, who the Hotshots drafted at No. 9 overall on Sunday.

In the 6-foot-7 Lucero, the Hotshots likewise acquired the big man that can reinvigoate an ageing frontline that has long been their Achilles heel.

Jalalon submitted numbers of 10.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.3 boards in the All-Filipino conference in what was his final stint with the Purefoods franchise.

The Hotshots were booted out in the quarterfinals by Barangay Ginebra.

Tratter, meanwhile, normed 4.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in his close to two seasons with Magnolia after being acquired in a trade with Converge for Adrian Wong.

Lucero, a product of University of the Philippines, averaged 12.08, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in his first conference with the Batang Pier during the Philippine Cup.

Initially, he sat out the season-opener Commissioner’s Cup after recovering from an ACL injury.