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SMB shores up frontline, acquires Nabong from GlobalPort

Kelly Nabong's game the night before turned out to be his swan song for GlobalPort. PBA Media Bureau (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--San Miguel already has a solid frontline in Junemar Fajardo and Chris Standhardinger.

But on Thursday, the team added another big guy in Kelly Nabong.

The Beermen took the services of the six-foot-seven forward-center from the GlobalPort Batang Pier in a trade approved by Commissioner Willie Marcial.

In exchange, GlobalPort acquired Gabby Espinas and a 2020 second round pick.

Known to be a hard-nosed player, Nabong got his game going in his second stint with the Batang Pier, tallying 12.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 0.5 steal a game in the previous Philippine Cup and 7.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 block a night in the ongoing Commissioner's Cup.

However, in his last game against the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Wednesday night, Nabong only got one point and five rebounds, although he too had five assists.

On the other hand, the arrival of Standhardinger led to a smaller playing time for Espinas, only making an appearance in the current conference only once.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno