ROOKIE Avan Nava landed where he rightfully belongs
The Fil-Canadian freshman finally reached a deal with San Miguel after a long, tedious contract negotiation.
The contract is good for a year and signed just three days before Season 49 of the PBA kicks off at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
SMB team governor Robert Non and manager Gee Abanilla were present during the contract signing attended by Nava and his representatives Reynaldo Punongbayan and Ed Ponceja.
The 6-foot-2 guard was the Beermen's first round pick at no. 12 during the recent draft.
He was initially given a two-year offer by San Miguel management, but didn't sign the contract, and instead tried out for a roster spot with TNT.
But SMB maintained Nava's playing rights still remain with the team since there was a contract offer made by the franchise and submitted to the PBA office.
Team governor Robert Non later gave an ultimatum for the Nava camp to sign the deal, which was later downgraded to only one year after San Miguel decided to tap unrestricted free agent (with rights to salary) Kris Rosales from Northport.
Non, though, affirmed Nava is one talented player, who finished with 14 points including four three pointers in the Beermen's 120-102 win over the Converge FiberXers in their tune-up game on Thursday.
"Maganda yung nilalaro niya sa practices at sa mga tune-up matches namin," said Non.
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.
