Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
Photos from PBA Images

Basketball

Magnolia ships Melton, Pascual to Terrafirma for Laput


Magnolia parted ways with one of its longest-tenured players in a move that certainly had the storied PBA ball club’s future in mind.

The Hotshots traded Justin Melton and Kyle Pascual to Terrafirma in exchange for rookie big man James Laput in a 2-for-1 deal.

The league announced the trade Thursday.PBA-Season-42-Philippine-Cup-Game-3-Ginebra-def-Star-Justin-Melton Magnolia ships Melton, Pascual to Terrafirma for Laput Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

This now ends the 34-year-old’s time with the Purefoods franchise, which began in 2013 when he was selected 13th overall in the Rookie Draft.

Known as ‘Quickmelt’ due to his superb athleticism for a 5-foot-9 player, Melton won four titles with the team — including of course the Grand Slam in 2014.

A member of the 2014 All-Rookie Team, the Fil-Am guard is also remembered as a co-champion in the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in the same year.2015-PBA-Commissioners-Cup-San-Miguel-vs-Kia-Kyle-Pascual Magnolia ships Melton, Pascual to Terrafirma for Laput Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

Meanwhile, Pascual is set for a homecoming as he is sent back to the very same organization that picked him at 24th overall in 2014.

The 6-foot-6 center has been with the Hotshots since 2017. He was part of the crew that ruled the Governors’ Cup in 2018.

At 31, the California-born cager has become quite a journeyman as he has already played for three teams in his career.

Melton and Pascual are expected to add more veteran presence to a Terrafirma side that recently landed Alex Cabagnot via trade with San Miguel.PBA-Season-46-Terrafirma-PJ-Pilares-x-James-Laput-x-Bobby-Rosales Magnolia ships Melton, Pascual to Terrafirma for Laput Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

But it had to give up a potential main option in Laput, who was the tallest player at 6-foot-10 in last March’s draft where he was the eighth pick.

The La Salle product now adds more ceiling to a Magnolia frontcourt that features Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva, Rafi Reavis, and Rome Dela Rosa.

#ReadMore  Hachimura, Japan grouped with Australia, Finland, Germany in FIBA WC
Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Another edition of the Manila Clasico will take place on Christmas Day as the PBA on Monday unveiled the full 2024-25 Commissioner’s Cup schedule....

Basketball

By: Justine Bacnis and Matthew Li After six seasons at the helm, Johnedel Cardel was unceremoniously let go by Terrafirma, marking the end of...

Basketball

Ricardo Ratliffe and Magnolia are reuniting, at last. The American bruiser is set to reinforce the Hotshots in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup,...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Rain or Shine ended Magnolia’s PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup campaign on Saturday but it meant more than just advancing to the...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Andrei Caracut took charge in the endgame as Rain or Shine showed Magnolia the door, 113-103, and advanced to the PBA Season...

Basketball

Ian Sangalang denied the allegations that he intentionally poked the eye of Aaron Fuller, which resulted in a torn cornea for the Rain or...

Basketball

Paul Lee submitted his best game of the series to date as Magnolia clobbered Rain or Shine, 129-100, to send their PBA Season 49...

Basketball

The referees simply didn’t want to dictate the game’s outcome. That was the reasoning offered by the PBA as the umpires were questioned for...

Advertisement