TITAN Ultra backed down from its supposed trade with TNT involving star forward Joshua Munzon.
Negotiations were already a done deal just before the Giant Risers played San Miguel in their PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup game Wednesday night at the Ynares Center, where Munzon was a no-show reportedly because the Fil-Am wing ‘wasn’t feeling well.’
READ: TNT acquiring Joshua Munzon from Titan in trade for future pick, Celzo
But shortly after, Titan Ultra decided to pull the plug, as ‘someone’ from management wasn’t in favor of the transaction.
Contrary to reports, though, owners of both teams were well aware of the trade that would have sent Munzon to the Tropang 5G for rookie big man Joe Celzo and a first round pick in the Season 53 draft.
Speedbumps to the trade
SPIN.ph likewise heard several talks about the PBA thumbing down the proposal, although reached out for comment, Commissioner Willie Marcial said he hasn’t seen any trade papers.
The injury to rookie guard Bryan Sajonia also added to the dilemma of the Giant Risers, as trading away the 31-year-old Munzon would have meant losing the team’s top two local scorers.
Sajonia is out for the rest of the season after going down with an ACL and other various knee injuries.
Aside from Sajonia, Titan is also without injured big men Jeo Ambohot and Mark Omega.
SPIN.ph learned Munzon was just as surprised the deal didn’t push through, as he was already told about his impending move to what would have been his fourth team in six years.
Still, that doesn't mean the 6-foot-4 Long Beach, California native is already out of the trading block.
Titan Ultra is still willing to ship out its best player, who’s averaging 15.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per outing this conference.
The Giant Risers, who suffered their seventh loss in nine outings after going down to the Beermen have taken a two-week break before resuming practice.
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