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| Tucker Molina and his management team took a photo with Abra team owner JB Bernos after signing a contract to play for the Weavers. Erik Quintana |
MANILA--Abra's title defense got a major boost after signing six-foot-six forward Tucker Molina.
Molina and his management team led by player agent Erik Quintana met with team owner JB Bernos to formalize the acquisition.
Initially committing to Mapua for NCAA Season 102 after three years at Arizona Christian University, the 22-year-old Molina turned pro instead as he is also setting his sights on the PBA Draft in the near future.
A person knowledgeable of the situation said that La Salle made a late pitch for Molina to stay amateur, but he decided to make the jump to the play-for-pay ranks instead.
With the signing only made official on Thursday, Molina is unlikely to suit up for the Weavers for their first game in the MPBL Preseason Invitational against the Sarangani Marlins on Saturday at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
He may also miss a few more preseason games before head coach Yong Garcia can activate him, although it is also possible that Abra would reserve him instead for the regular season starting in April.
Molina is the second player to jump out of the walls of Intramuros to make the bus ride to Bangued as the Weavers previously signed Drex Delos Reyes.
A Molina-Delos Reyes duo would have been instrumental as the Cardinals look to reclaim the NCAA men's basketball title they lost last season.
However, instead of staying in red and gold, both bruisers will wear powder blue in Abra, just in time after the team let go of Geo Chiu.
The 6-foot-10 Chiu, the number one pick in the recent PBA Draft, is expected to formally sign with Terrafirma ahead of the Commissioner's Cup starting March 11.
