ANTIPOLO – The looming arrival of first-round pick Yukien Andrada prompted Magnolia to let go of Joseph Eriobu.
Team governor Jason Webb said the franchise had to make the crucial move to free up a roster spot for the 24-year-old Andrada, the first round pick of the franchise in the last draft who’s currently playing in the NCAA Season 101 finals for San Beda.
The Hotshots currently have the maximum 15-man roster at their disposal.
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Webb said the team tried to shop around for a possible trade and Eriobu’s name was the one who consistently elicited interest.
“So siya yung of value (among the supports cast) na may makukuha kami in return (for a trade),” Webb explained to SPIN.ph after the PBA approved the trade of the 33-year-old forward to Terrafirma for a second-round pick in Season 52 on Wednesday.
“And sila kasi ni Yukien yung magka-position, so sayang naman if lalo siyang hindi mabibigyan ng playing time when Yukien joins us.”
Eriobu is currently in Bangkok, Thailand for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games where he is part of the men’s 3x3 team.
But Webb said the forward out of Mapua has been notified about the trade even before he left with the national team.
“Coach LA (Tenorio) talked to him before he left and explained to him the rationale behind the trade,” said the Magnolia executive. “And I think it would be a better move for him (Eriobu) din naman dahil magagamit siya sa ibang team.”
The trade was made over the weekend but was only approved on Wednesday as there was no PBA office on Saturday and Sunday.
“So Monday lang or I think Tueday naipasa sa PBA yung trade,” he said.
All along according to Webb, the Hotshots thought Andrada would already be joining the team as San Beda trailed College of St Benilde late in their do-or-die Game 3 in the NCAA semis.
But the younger brother of former PBA player Yutien Andrada willed the Red Lions back and pull off an 84-81 win to advance in the finals against the Letran Knights.
Andrada finished with a game-high 27 points including two huge three-pointers inside the final six minutes to highlight his heroics.
“So we need to free a spot for Yukien,” added Webb.
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