MAGNOLIA activated new acquisition Jerrick Balanza as expected in time for its PBA Philippine Cup game against Phoenix on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The former Letran stalwart was acquired by the Hotshots on Thursday in a trade with Converge for a second-round pick in the Season 49 draft. The day after, he already attended his first practice with the Purefoods franchise.
Fil-Am Dave Murrell was relegated to the unrestricted free agent list with rights to salary to give way to Balanza’s roster activation.
The 27-year-old Balanza last played for Converge in a 110-90 loss to Rain or Shine last April 3 where he sparingly played for just four minutes and scored three points and had a rebound.
He averaged 2.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists for the FiberXers in the season-ending conference.
Curiously, Balanza is the third Converge player Magnolia acquired in a trade after landing Abu Tratter and Murrell almost two years ago for the pair of Adrian Wong and a first-round pick in last year’s draft which the FiberXers used to tab BJ Andrade.
The Hotshots hold an even 2-2 record going to their 3 p.m. match against the 2-4 Fuel Masters.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
