ALASKA team manager Dickie Bachmann made it clear on Friday the Aces intend to keep high-flying guard Cyrus Baguio as part of the franchise’s future if that’s “what he wants."
Baguio's contract is expiring at the end of the season and Bachmann said the organization has already started talks on a new deal through his manager Danny Espiritu, dismissing talks of a Baguio-Terrence Romeo trade as an old rumor that won't go away.
“Dati pa naman iyan eh,” Bachmann told Spin.ph when contacted on Friday to confirm if the trade rumors about Baguio were true. “We’re (Aces) not even initiating anything, but if he (Baguio) wants (to stay with Alaska), of course, we have plans of offering (a contract extension).”
The soft-spoken Alaska official said Alaska has had initial talks with Espiritu a few months ago, with only the length of the new contract yet to be settled.
“We’re just discussing minor details on his contract. Length of years na lang if it’s two years or three years pero yung presyo, tapos na,” the former Alaska player said.
Bachmann said Alaska is also set to discuss the contract extensions of two other members of the team's current core - starting guard JV Casio and slotman Sonny Thoss - once Aces big boss Fred Uytengsu returns from an out-of-town trip next week.
The 6-1 Baguio averaged 8.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists this conference where the Aces failed to defend their Commissioner’s Cup title after bowing to San Mig, 1-2, in their quarterfinal series.
Meantime, Bachmann said Bill Walker, Alaska’s incoming import for the Governors Cup, is set to arrive from San Francisco on Saturday morning. The former Kansas State University standout played four seasons in the NBA, suiting up for the Boston Celtics and later on, the New York Knicks.
The 26-year-old native of Huntington, West Virginia averaged an NBA career-best 11.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 27 games for the Knicks during the 2009-10 season.
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