The NLEX Road Warriors’ commitment to change under new head coach Yeng Guiao has now started, as the team made a move by acquiring center Rabeh Al-Hussaini from the Meralco Bolts through a three-team trade, the PBA approved on Tuesday morning.
Needing a third team to facilitate the trade, Meralco shipped the 6-foot-8 big man first to the Blackwater Elite in exchange for a 2018 second round draft pick. The Elite then sent Al-Hussaini to the Road Warriors afterwards, re-acquiring their 2017 second round draft pick that NLEX had received before in the process.
Al-Hussaini’s trade to the Road Warriors will be a reunion between him and Guiao, as both men had the chance to work with each other back in 2010. Al-Hussaini was drafted as the second overall pick by the now-defunct Air21 Express franchise.
The Road Warriors will be the sixth team of the 28-year-old journeyman, who took a break from the PBA back in 2015 and played overseas with Al Qadsia in Kuwait. He has career averages of 6.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 17.2 minutes of playing time.
The former Gilas Pilipinas member’s addition to the NLEX roster adds a body to their frontline comprised of Asi Taulava, Sean Anthony, and Bradwyn Guinto.
