CHICAGO — Since Magnolia acquired him via trade from Terrafirma last November 2021, playing time has always been elusive for James Laput.
Five years later, this time under coach LA Tenorio, the 6-foot-10, 244-pound Fil-Aussie is still in the same spot Chito Victolero left him.
Deep down the bench.
Per AsiaBasket.com, Laput has appeared in only eight PBA games in 2026 where he is averaging 1.8 points and 1.0 rebounds in 9.8 minutes of play per outing.
Now with an expiring max contract, it looks like the 30-year old’s days with the Hotshots are numbered.
NO DEAL.
According to multiple sources, Magnolia offered the No. 8 pick of the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft to Meralco in a proposed trade for Bong Quinto.
The Bolts, sources bared, politely declined and supposedly made a counter proposal to acquire Javi Gomez de Liano for Javee Mocon.
Ultimately , no deal was made.
De Liano, who used to be one of the best 3-point shooters the Korean Basketball League (KBL), is also struggling to find minutes at Magnolia where he is spectacularly being under-utilized.
Javi, 6-foot 3 and only scratching his prime at 28, is playing behind veterans Mark Barroca and Paul Lee, a pair of champion veterans, a bit of misfortune that explains his scant exposure.
With roughly two years left in his contract, Javi just needs the playing time to prove his worth the way Jerrick Ahanmisi has impressed at San Miguel after escaping from doomed Terrafirma.
The question is: Will Javi ever get that opportunity at Magnolia?
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