CHICAGO - He arrived after breakfast. And he'll leave before lunch.
That pretty much sums up the tenure of William Navarro at Magnolia, a fling that appears to have run its course after multiple sources told me that the former Ateneo juggernaut is finalizing a deal to join the Busan KCC Egis of the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
Back in 2022, Navarro was signed by Seoul Samsung Thunders, a deal that fell through after the versatile 6-foot-6, 185-pound forward failed to secure a Letter of Clearance (LOC) from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) which refused to issue one owing to Navarro's then contract with Gilas.
READ Will Navarro finalizing deal with Busan KCC in Korea league
That national team contract expired in March of 2023 while his PBA contract is set to terminate at the end of this month, emancipating Navarro from any restrictions to play in another league.
While waiting for his second bite at that KBL apple, Navarro played for NorthPort, which picked him No. 2 overall in the special round for Gilas pool members in 2021, and acquitted himself exceptionally well.
A STAR IS GONE.
But just as he was about to fully bloom into a star, averaging 20.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in the PBA Philippine Cup, the Batang Pier shipped the Greece-born Navarro to Magnolia in a blockbuster trade involving Calvin Abueva last May.
What was initially viewed as a huge heist for Magnolia, which got a young stud for an old lion, is now turning into a botched robbery, missing a getaway driver.
Unless the plan - short-sighted at best and negligent at worst - was to acquire Navarro only as a quickie rental aimed at ending the franchise's seven-year title drought, losing Navarro to the KBL for nothing is a catastrophe.
The management and coaching staff did not do their due diligence in ascertaining what Navarro's future plans were. They had to know his contract was expiring. They had to know that overseas teams have been aggressive suitors for years.
Nobody should blame Navarro for leaving. Teams show little, if any at all, loyalty to players. Hence, players should prioritize theirs and their family's welfare.
Nothing personal, just business.
TAKE THE MONEY, WILL, YOU'VE EARNED IT.
Besides, Navarro is not getting any younger at 28, and with a history of an ACL tear, he knows how cruel fate can be. Grabbing this opportunity was a no-brainer.
Will's camp politely declined to comment on my story but a powerful agent who has clients in the KBL told me that because of his proven track record, status as a former national team player, and limitless potential, Navarro can command a multi-year deal that pays north of $18,000 a month.
As it turned out, Navarro had been pursued by several other KBL teams including the Seoul SK Knights which eventually signed another NorthPort alum, Arvin Tolentino.
While going to Korea signals prosperity for the gifted wing, the impending move severely injures the Hotshots who had illusions of grandeur with the Zav Lucero-Will Navarro collaboration.
Shocking as it may be, this latest faux pas isn't surprising, either. It's so Magnolia where fast starts and quick endings, and dizzying import changes, are commonplace.
"Coach Chito (Victolero) will be on the hot seat for this," a PBA executive told me.
I hope not. But at the same time, Will Navarro's exodus happened in broad daylight, under his watch.
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