ARIS Dionisio played his first game with his new team Titan Ultra on Wednesday since being shipped by Magnolia last week.
Dionisio had a solid showing, especially on the defensive end when he had eight rebounds and two steals in the Giant Risers’ 97-86 win over Blackwater in the PBA Philippine Cup.
That is exactly what his role is with the Giant Risers, who acquired him in exchange for Chris Koon, the No. 4 pick in the Season 50 draft.
READ: Titan Ultra finally fixes defensive hole to smother Blackwater
“Sinabi naman nila ‘yun na kung ano ‘yung laro mo, ‘yun lang ‘yung itulong ko dito sa team,” said the 30-year-old Dionisio on Wednesday.
“’Yung score naman, kahit na nasa Magnolia ako, hindi ko naman iniisip. Sabi nila talaga, kaya ikaw kinuha namin is ‘yung defense mo talaga ‘yung kailangan dito sa Titan. So pakita mo lang ‘yung talagang ikaw sa defense para makatulong ka ng maganda sa team.”
Dionisio saw action for Titan Ultra after five years with Magnolia, the same team that drafted him at No. 9 in 2019.
The former St. Claire College star took the trade in a professional manner, the same way that Magnolia handled the move.
“Tinawag sa akin ni Coach LA ‘yun na parang Monday last week. And then kinamusta ako and then in-open niya na mayroong trade na nangyari and sinabi niya na involve ako sa trade. And ‘yun nga, na-trade na daw ako kay Koon,” said Dionisio.
“Sabi niya, by tomorrow or Wednesday kasi lalabas na. So ‘yun ‘yung sinabi ni Coach LA. Sinasabi kasi niya sa amin na once na nagkaroon ng trade sa team ng Magnolia, siya ‘yung unang-unang magsasabi sa players. So ‘yun ‘yung ginawa ni Coach LA nung time na ‘yun,” he explained.
Dionisio was naturally saddened to be traded since Magnolia has been his only team until the deal was made.
“Siyempre, part of the work natin ito as a player. Kumbaga, expect the unexpected lagi. Mangyayari at mangyayari ‘yung ganitong bagay. Nung sinabi ni coach LA ‘yun, kumbaga nalungkot lang din ako siyempre. Ilang years ako nag-stay doon. Nung na-trade ako, parang natulala ako pero okay na uli,” said Dionisio.
“Siguro ito ‘yung way ni Lord para mag-start ako ng bago at makapaglaro ng maayos.”
Dionisio said he is happy with Titan Ultra since he was welcomed by former teammates led by Calvin Abueva, himself a former Magnolia player.
“Unang-una si ‘The Beast’ tinawagan ako. Kasi from Magnolia, parang talagang ka-close ko na siya, kaibigan. And then si Asiong (Jerrick Balanza) and then si Fran Yu, sila ‘yung talagang ka-close ko na since wala pa ako sa PBA. Kaya pagdating ko doon, welcome na welcome nila ako. Harutan agad,” said Dionisio.
Now with a new team, Dionisio looks forward to fight for a playoff berth with Titan Ultra, a team that he sees has a potential to make a solid run despite a slow start with a 2-4 win-loss record.
“’Yung Titan naman, sobrang competitive nila eh. Even sa malalakas na team, talagang lumalaban sila na kahit alam naman natin ‘yung line-up, kokonti lang ‘yung star," he said.
"Si Calvin lang, si Munzon, tapos lahat puro role player. Kailan lang namin pagtulung-tulungan hanggang sa makakuha kami ng maraming panalo."
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