SAN Miguel Corp. sports director Noli Eala readily shot down rumors of Barangay Ginebra trading away rookie Fil-Am Chris Ellis to Meralco for the services of veteran center Asi Taulava.
“Time to put this ugly rumor to rest. We have no plans to trade Chris Ellis,” Eala tweeted on his account @NoliEala.
The 6-foot-5 Ellis has become one of the crowd favorites in Ginebra’s roster behind his high-wire act and ability to play above the rim.
And Eala stressed the 24-year-old reigning league Slam Dunk champion is a vital piece in the Kings’ future.
“He's one of Ginebra's building blocks,” added Eala, a former PBA commissioner.
Rumors have been going around social media linking the soft-spoken Ellis together with guard Josh Urbiztondo in a direct trade to the Bolts for Taulava and rookie Fil-Am Cliff Hodge.
Meralco owns the PBA rights to the 6-foot-9 Taulava, who just won a championship and an MVP trophy with San Miguel in the Asean Basketball League recently.
The past few weeks, Taulava has made known his wish to play again in Asia’s first ever pro league and ending his playing career with Ginebra.
Taulava’s resurgence in the ABL has again sparked a lot interest from PBA teams like Air21 and Ginebra, which has long been looking for a reliable big man to plug its hole in the middle.
