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| PBA (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Alaska started its quest to finish unfinished businesses in the most surprising way possible.
Bridesmaids in the first two conference championships this year, the Aces began their mission to end the PBA season with a title by sending out one of their key players, Cyrus Baguio, to the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
In a trade approved by Commissioner Chito Narvasa on Wednesday, Alaska shipped Baguio along with their 2017 second round pick to Phoenix for their 2017 and 2018 second rounders.
On which picks the Aces end up with, however, will be based on other teams' performances for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Alaska will receive the highest of Phoenix's 2017 second round picks that once belonged to them, San Miguel, and Star and the second highest of Phoenix's 2018 picks that include their own and those of Ginebra, Meralco, and San Miguel. NLEX owns the highest of the four said picks as part of the package in their May 10 trade with Phoenix for Mac Baracael and Emman Monfort.
[Related Story: Baracael, Monfort sent to NLEX by Phoenix in trade]
Baguio joined the Aces in 2010 and helped them capture two PBA titles. They came close to winning the 2016 Philippine Cup pennant only to see the San Miguel Beermen complete the historic comeback from 0-3 down to steal it.
Alaska also fell short in doing their own 0-3 comeback in the Commissioner's Cup Finals won by Rain Or Shine.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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