JOHN Pinto's stay with Phoenix proved fleeting.
On Thursday, the Fuel Masters decided to ship the 28-year-old guard to Meralco in exchange for a future draft pick after the two sides failed to come to terms on a new deal.
Pinto has not showed up in any of Phoenix practices since he was acquired by the team in a trade with Blackwater for Joseph Eriobu. He wasn't around either during the team's tune-up game against Barangay Ginebra.
SPIN.ph learned from sources the trade was agreed upon by Phoenix board of governor Atty. Raymond Zorilla and Meralco counterpart Al Panlilio.
The Bolts gave up a future second round pick to acquire the services of Pinto, who had a breakout season with Blackwater last year.
Trade papers had already been sent to the PBA Commissioner's Office.
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