THE trade between Meralco and Rain or Shine is finally completed after big man Raymond Almazan was given clearance by the Bolts regarding his physical condition.
Team manager Paolo Trillo said on Monday the 29-year-old Almazan passed the physical test conducted by the team, one of the conditions asked by Meralco when it agreed to acquire the services of the former NCAA MVP for two future first round picks (2019 and 2021).
But his debut in a Meralco uniform will have to wait two more weeks as the 6-foot-8 native of Orion, Bataan is still out of sync after missing most of the Philippine Cup last conference due to a sprain, and later a right calf injury.
“Pinapalakas lang. Mga two more weeks strength and conditioning,” said Trillo.
The Bolts already missed the services of their new acquisition Sunday night in a 94-91 loss to Blackwater in overtime during the opener of the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Almazan is expected to miss two more games for the Bolts against Columbian Dyip this Friday and Barangay Ginebra on the 26th.
If everything goes according to plan, the lanky big man could be ready to play by the end of the month when Meralco ironically, plays Almazan’s former team, Rain or Shine.
Although that would be an interesting subplot bar to the game, all Almazan could care for is to play once again.
“Gusto ko lang makalaro ulit, kahit against Rain or Shine pa yan o hindi. Excited na ulit akong makabalik,” said Almazan, who is expected to finally join the Bolts in five-on-five drills this week.
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