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| Harold Alarcon is not leaving San Juan amid rumors linking him to a KBL move, according to coach Alex Angeles. MPBL (file photo) |
MANILA—San Juan head coach Alex Angeles denied that Harold Alarcon is leaving the team, too, like Mike Phillips, amid his absence during its Thursday night win against Valenzuela.
Speaking to Dugout Philippines, Angeles said that the Knights just gave Alarcon the day off as he recovers from a calf injury, even calling the rumor circulated by renowned KBL insider BaekPD fake news.
"Fake news 'yun kasi tinanong na namin, wala naman daw," Angeles said.
Alarcon's absence came a few days after BaekPD tweeted that the former two-time UAAP champion has seemingly followed some players from Busan, leading to speculations that the KBL club may have already plucked him out of Greenhills.
BaekPD clarified, though, that the Alarcon transfer rumor was "just my guess."
The Egis rumor came amid a big-time exodus of two key players at the Knights' lair, namely Phillips and Gerry Abadiano.
Abadiano was the first to announce that he is changing address, with another KBL team, Ulsan, signing him, although he will still play for San Juan until next Thursday.
However, it was Phillips who exited the team first, albeit unceremoniously, eventually inking a contract with Kyoto in the Japan B.League Premier.
According to Angeles, the recent transfers were a testament to how stacked San Juan's current lineup is.
"So sabi ko nga sa mga (assistant) coaches, sa amin na halos nakukuhanan, pero ang ibig sabihin, quality yung mga players na nakukuha namin," Angeles further said.
He also said that the Knights are willing to give Alarcon a release if the Egis indeed inquire about his services.
"Kaya kung meron man talagang papunta doon, eh hindi natin titigilan yung mga yan kasi ang tanging hangad lang naman natin sa mga bata ay mas mapaganda yung future nila," Angeles further said.
He also assured that Alarcon will suit up in San Juan's next game against Quezon.
"Nire-rest namin para pagdating ng laban sa Quezon, ready na siya," Angeles continued.
The said game, which will be Abadiano's farewell game for the Knights before he joins the Phoebus, will happen next Thursday at the former's home, the FilOil Centre.
However, word has reached Dugout Philippines that San Juan considered moving the game to the Bacoor City STRIKE Gymnasium before the arena management assured that the FilOil Centre would be available for the team's upcoming home stand.
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