LIKE a real trooper, Joseph Eriobu took the news about his trade from Magnolia to Terrafirma with an open mind.
Marvin Espiritu, who represents the 33-year-old Filipino-Nigerian, said Eriobu understands the business of basketball and accepted his fate like a pro.
“Si Bu (Eriobu) kasi veteran na. So alam naman niya na team decision 'yan,” said Espiritu of the Espiritu-Manotoc Basketball Management.
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“He took it like a pro.”
The Mapua product is currently in Bangkok, Thailand for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games as part of the men’s 3x3 team when the PBA approved his trade to the Dyip in exchange for a second-round pick in the Season 52 draft.
But he was already been told about the deal even before the Philippine delegation left for the Thai capital.
“Even before naging official (trade), kinausap naman na siya ni (coach) LA (Tenorio),” said Espiritu. “He’s looking at the positives naman.”
Suiting up for Terrafirma is actually a homecoming for Eriobu.
The 6-foot-4 Eriobu was a second-round pick of the KIA franchise in the 2016 draft and played one season for the team.
He then spent time playing for Phoenix and Blackwater and had a short stint with Hong Kong Eastern.
In 2021, he found his way as the main man of the Purefoods team to the PBA 3x3 tournament, which eventually became his passport to a roster spot with Magnolia starting in 2023.
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