PBA approves Schonny Winston trade as Kurt Reyson, Jonnel Policarpio set for Delta reunion with Converge

Schonny Winston is now officially heading to NLEX. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—The PBA trade committee green-lighted the three-team trade between Converge, NLEX, and Meralco that would see Schonny Winston move to the Road Warriors.

The swap was approved on Tuesday as originally proposed: Winston and Kevin Racal are heading to the Road Warrior camp, Jonnel Policarpio, Kurt Reyson, and a future draft pick to the FiberXers, and Javee Mocon to the Bolts.

The draft asset turned out to be Meralco's second-round pick for the Season 52 Draft that will now belong to Converge.

Winston's arrival means another solid scorer that could lessen the carrying load for Robert Bolick at NLEX, while Racal is expected to be the team's new 3-and-D guy.

Racal's departure means that Alec Stockton is the only player left from the Alaska franchise that Converge bought lock, stock, and barrel in 2022.

In turn, though, Policarpio and Reyson will reunite with coach Delta Pineda at the FiberXer camp as they can now fully begin a new era in the franchise.

Policarpio was one of the products of Pineda's renowned youth basketball program in Pampanga, while Reyson was a part of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns' back-to-back MPBL title teams in 2023 and 2024, coached by Pineda.

Mocon will provide additional veteran stability at the wings for the Bolts as they look to bounce back from a rough PBA Philippine Cup campaign that saw them knocked out in the semifinals of the said conference, as well as an early elimination in the EASL.