NorthPort ships out young guns: Zav Lucero to Magnolia, Ben Adamos to Ginebra

Zav Lucero heads to Magnolia. PBA Images (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANDALUYONG--NorthPort decided to let go of two players that could have been of good help to them in the coming years in exchange for seasoned veterans as they now look to go win-now mode.

NorthPort sent Zav Lucero and Ben Adamos to different teams in a pair of trades approved on Monday.

The PBA trade committee first approved the swap shipping Lucero to Magnolia in exchange for Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter.

The committee then lit the green light on a straight-up trade between the Batang Pier and Barangay Ginebra involving Adamos and Sidney Onwubere.

Lucero is expected to add youthful energy to the Hotshots, whose main players are now not young anymore.

Adamos, on the other hand, added some size for the Gin Kings, who are expected to reel from Jamie Malonzo's absence for the coming PBA Governors' Cup, which according to a person privy to the situation is scheduled for an Aug. 18 start.

Meanwhile, Onwubere will take the place of Lucero at the wings, while Tratter looks to fill the void left by Adamos.

Jalalon, on the other hand, looks to revitalize his career at NorthPort banking on a solid stint last season for Magnolia.

However, he joins a loaded point guard rotation alongside Kris Rosales, Fran Yu, and newly drafted Evan Nelle.

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