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| PBA (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Three days before the annual PBA Draft, the transfer window became wide open for NLEX and Blackwater as they consummated a virtual one-for-one exchange approved by Commissioner Chito Narvasa on Thursday.
The Road Warriors took Carlo Lastimosa from the Elite, who in return grabbed James Forrester and retook the second round pick for this year's draft that they previously gave up in a prior trade.
Blackwater coach Leo Isaac, in an interview with the media during the PBA Draft Combine at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong hours before the swap was made official, sees a lot of potential in the high-flying Forrester despite playing only sparingly early into his career.
"Maganda ang kilatis namin sa kanya. Hindi lang nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na lumaro nang mahaba-haba. Inaasahan namin na makakatulong siya. Kung masigla siya, definitely malaking bagay si James Forrester sa Blackwater," Isaac said.
Despite losing the vastly-improved Lastimosa, Isaac believes his other holdover guards, John Pinto, Roi Sumang, Denok Miranda, and Juami Tiongson will take charge, although he is open to selecting another guard in the regular draft since he already said the Elite will take Mac Belo as the first pick of the special Gilas draft.
[Related Story: Isaac to consult Blackwater top guys regarding Pick 1 of regular draft, locks in Belo as top pick of Gilas draft]
Isaac also expressed bullishness on his young Blackwater core with Forrester, Belo, Pinto, Sumang, Tiongson, Arth Dela Cruz, and Ronald Pascual around.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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