A BLOCKBUSTER trade occurred on Tuesday when Titan Ultra decided to trade its top star Calvin Abueva to Converge for Rey Suerte, King Caralipio, and Mark Denver Omega.
While Abueva is a household name, a few aren’t too familiar with the three players that were exchanged for the enigmatic forward.
READ: Calvin Abueva headed to Converge in trade; Titan to get 3 players
Know more about the three players here:
REY SUERTE
Suerte only played for five games with the FiberXers in the 50th Season Philippine Cup and totaled 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals during the elimination round with the team. But years prior to this trade, Suerte was part of the Gilas draft of 2019 where he was picked No. 2 by Blackwater.
The former University of the East and University of Visayas player has always been known for his ability to shoot from the outside but hasn’t fully lived up to his potential.
In early 2025, Suerte was traded to Converge for BJ Andrade. For the entire 49th season, Suerte averaged 3.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 29 games with both Blackwater and Converge.
KING CARALIPIO
Caralipio was in his third season with the FiberXers before the trade went down. He was picked No. 42 in the fourth round of the Season 48 Draft.
However, he was seldom-used in the 50th Season Philippine Cup where he played in seven games and totaled seven points and eight rebounds during the eliminations.
Still, the former Letran Knight showed a glimpse of what he can do in one big stage no less. He balled out against Barangay Ginebra in the knockout game of the quarterfinals, where he had 11 points and six rebounds, while also defending RJ Abarrientos during the game.
In Titan Ultra, he will see familiar faces as he reunites with former Letran teammates in Fran Yu, Jerrick Balanza, Pao Javillonar, Jeo Ambohot, Ato Ular and Kobe Monje. Together, they won three consecutive titles in the NCAA.
MARK DENVER OMEGA
The rookie out of Letran hasn’t played a PBA game this season, but is already in his third team after the trade that went down between Converge and Titan Ultra.
Omega was drafted by Rain or Shine in this season’s draft at No. 20 in the second round, but had to sit some time out as he finished his commitments with Letran.
While in the middle of the NCAA season, however, Omega was shipped to Converge for a future pick in 2025.
Omega later cracked the line-up of the FiberXers, but his brief time had an unfortunate moment when he, Justine Baltazar, and assistant coach Pedic Dimatulac were fined P20,000 for a cooking gesture during the quarterfinal knockout game against Barangay Ginebra.
The 6-foot-5 Omega averaged 6.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 53 percent shooting from the field in 19 games during the NCAA Season 101, numbers that Titan Ultra is hoping that he can deliver in the PBA.
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