LARRY Muyang is back in the PBA, Evan Nelle gets a fresh start at Phoenix while new team Pureblends makes its first acquisition after a three-player, three-team deal was approved by the PBA trade committee on Thursday,
The trade, which SPIN,ph first reported on Wednesday, saw Phoenix send the signing rights of Muyang to Converge to get its hands on Nelle, who in turn was let go by Pureblends to be able to add big man Jeo Ambohot to its roster.
READ Pureblends hits the ground running, eyes two multi-player trades
League sources also told SPIN.ph that an indefinite ban imposed on Muyang for signing with Pampanga's MPBL side without being released by Phoenix will be lifted once he is activated by Converge.
The 6-foot-6 slotman's arrival gives Converge one of the tallest frontlines in the league as he teams up with Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana once he completes his tour of duty with Pampanga in the MPBL playoffs.
The former Letran standout hardly made an impact in four seasons with Phoenix but enjoyed a resurgence upon his return to the Giant Lanterns as the team's primary scoring option down low in the post-Baltazar era.
In a separate deal, Converge is also set to acquire Phoenix's No. 2 pick in Sunday's rookie draft and a second-round pick in exchange for sharp-shooting big man Bryan Santos and the FiberXers' own first-round pick at No. 8.
READ Converge acquires Phoenix's No. 2 pick in trade for Santos, No. 8 selection
Sources said the deal has been sealed and only awaiting a formal approval from the trade committee.
Nelle, who won championships in a stellar college career at San Beda and La Salle, shared the minutes at point guard with Fran Yu and Jio Jalalon at NorthPort, averaging 4.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 11 Philippine Cup games.
He should get more opportunities playing alongside Tyler Tio at Phoenix, which sources said has long targeted the 5-11 guard.
Ambohot, on the other hand is set to be reunited with Bonnie Tan at Pureblends, where his former coach at Letran is set to return as team governor.
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