Kia gets Gabriel from Phoenix in trade

Jon Gabriel, second from the right, will now join Kia. Dennis Acosta (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Despite losing what ended up as the number one pick in the recent PBA Draft, Kia's "unconventional" rebuilding netted the team a first rounder.

In a trade approved on Tuesday, the Picanto netted Jon Gabriel from the Phoenix Fuel Masters.

Gabriel was selected as the 11th overall pick of the draft by TNT to the surprise of many PBA fans, but he was dealt to Phoenix together with Justin Chua for Sidney Onwubere last week.

[Related Story: Onwubere sent to TNT; Phoenix takes Chua, Gabriel]

With a bunch of key players gone, Kia can now revolve around Gabriel as the team starts a new chapter in its PBA stint.

On the other hand, Phoenix did not get an active player in exchange, but the team nabbed a 2021 second round pick.

The trade between the Fuel Masters and the Picanto was a follow-up to another trade between them last week, in which the former got LA Revilla for Jayson Grimaldo and a 2018 second round pick.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno