AVAN Nava is set to play in his first game with TNT on Saturday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Welcoming him at the Smart Araneta Coliseum floor is no less than the team which drafted him in San Miguel.
Nava was elevated in the Tropang 5G’s active roster from being a reserve player at the start of the season, taking over the spot of veteran guard Simon Enciso, who was relegated to the Unrestricted Free Agent list (with rights to salary).
The 25-year-old Fil-Canadian joined TNT just before the start of Season 50 when Titan Ultra no longer gave him a tender offer when his previous contract expired.
He’s one of three practice players signed to contracts by the telecommunication franchise for the entire season along with big man Joe Celzo and rookie Sean Quintevis.
Nava has been regularly practicing with the rest of the Tropang 5G and is mostly seen in street clothes watching from behind the team bench.
His rights were acquired by the Giant Risers after being traded by San Miguel along with a Season 50 second round draft pick (which turned out to be CJ Austria) to then Northport Batang Pier in exchange for big man JM Calma.
The Batang Pier franchise was later brought by Titan Ultra.
Originally, the 6-foot-2 guard was picked no. 12 overall by San Miguel in the Season 49 draft, but wore out his welcome with the team after just two conferences before being dealt to Northport.
Just like his stint with the Beermen, the product of St. Francis Xavier was hardly utilized during his short stint with the Batang Pier.
Nava and the Tropang 5G play the Beermen in Saturday’s main game of a doubleheader at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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