PBA: Tony Ynot set for reunion with Charles Tiu at Phoenix; James Kwekuteye sent to Converge

James Kwekuteye joins Converge in yet another trade by the team. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Converge is not yet done with its surprise retooling.

After acquiring Jonnel Policarpio, Kurt Reyson, and the Meralco Bolts' second-round pick in the PBA Season 52 Draft through a three-team trade with the NLEX Road Warriors, the FiberXers nabbed James Kwekuteye in a straight-up swap with the Phoenix Fuel Masters that was also approved on Tuesday.

Phoenix acquired Tony Ynot in the process, which means College of St. Benilde's former main point guard will play under coach Charles Tiu again.

Ynot was taken 32nd overall by the FiberXers in last year's draft, but never got to play for the team for the remainder of the PBA Philippine Cup, even if his stint with the Blazers was done.

This effectively means his PBA debut is expected to be for a Tiu-coached team again in the Commissioner's Cup starting on March 11.

Tiu now has three former CSB players in his Phoenix squad: Ynot, returning JC Cullar, and last year's first-round pick Will Gozum.

Like Ynot, Gozum will only make his PBA debut too in the upcoming conference following a run to the MPBL National Finals with Quezon also last December.

Meanwhile, Kwekuteye, now in his fourth PBA team in only three seasons, reunites with former Bacoor City teammate Jhaymo Eguilos with Converge.

Kwekuteye and Eguilos led the Strikers to the 2023 MPBL South Division title and a national finals date with the Delta Pineda-coached Pampanga Giant Lanterns.

Eguilos eventually joined Pampanga the following year after Bacoor City took a leave of absence from the regional league and later joined Pineda with Converge.