The Blackwater Elite continue its revamp
Following a trade with Barangay Ginebra a week ago that saw them send Art Dela Cruz and Raymond Aguilar, the Elite is engaging in yet another deal, this time with Star Hotshots in a two-for-two deal, according to multiple reports.
And in the new talks, which is still upon approval by the Commissioner’s Office, the trade’s centerpiece is Hotshots’ resident gunslinger Allein Maliksi.
The 28-year-old, who is averaging nine points and two boards this Governor’s Cup, along with rookie Chris Javier, will be shipped to the Dioceldo Sy-owned franchise in exchange for frontliners Bambam Gamalinda and Kyle Pascual.
If the proposal gets through, Maliksi has played his final game as a Hotshot Saturday night in a 96-90 loss to Meralco Bolts in an out-of-town affair in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, where he scored just seven markers on eight shots.
The trade, which comes as a surprise especially for Star, will further enhance the Elite’s firepower, which already has the likes of JP Erram, the returning rookie Mac Belo, and gunslingers Roi Sumang and Mike DiGregorio.
The Hotshots, on the other hand, will have two more solid additions in their frontcourt, which consists of steady big men such as Ian Sangalang, Rodney Brondial, Aldrech Ramos, Rafi Reavis, and leader Marc Pingris.