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| Kurt Lojera is dearly missed at Phoenix after he opted to play for PSL's Siomai King. PBA Images (file photo) |
MANILA—As surprising as Encho Serrano's appearance for Siomai King in the PSL D2 Super Cup, a fellow Phoenix Fuel Master, Kurt Lojera, also saw action for the Kings in the week-long tournament happening in Quezon.
As it turned out, like Serrano, Lojera's contract with Phoenix has already expired, and he is now a free agent by PBA standards, paving the way for him to join Serrano at Siomai King.
Although Fuel Masters coach Jamike Jarin admitted to Dugout Philippines on Friday night that he did not know what really went wrong, he confirmed, "They did not get into terms with his contract."
Interestingly enough, Siomai King played Antipolo right in the opening game of the D2 Super Cup on June 2—the same day Phoenix was scheduled to face Rain Or Shine in the PBA on Tour at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Lojera was listed in both Phoenix and Siomai King's rosters, but he ultimately took a 100-kilometer ride south to Tiaong and joined Siomai King.
While Serrano is leading the way for Siomai King en route to clinching a spot in the Sunday night final, Lojera also provided solid contributions for the club, something Phoenix missed dearly in its back-to-back losses to ROS and NLEX.
Jarin, though, is still hopeful that the Phoenix management would be able to fix its situation with Lojera and re-sign him for the upcoming PBA season.
"I really wanted Kurt to be part of this team," Jarin further said.
The D2 Super Cup is taking a break in action as the Tiaong Convention Center is being prepared for the PBA on Tour game between Meralco and San Miguel.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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