Meralco gets Raymundo from Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines – After rebuilding and rejuvenating their lineup through a slew of trades in the past two months, the Meralco Bolts may have just completed the last piece of their puzzle: Kerby Raymundo.

In a trade approved by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) on Tuesday, October 22, the Brgy. Ginebra Kings has sent the versatile forward to the Bolts in exchange for fellow big man, Jay-R Reyes.

The deal could be the icing on the cake for coach Ryan Gregorio after acquiring guards Gary David, Mike Cortez, swingman Nelbert Omolon, and big man and former Gilas player Rabeh Al-Hussaini in a series of trades over the past couple of months.

Raymundo – a 10-time All-star and 2002 Governor’s Cup Finals MVP – will be reunited with Gregorio and is expected to bring their Purefoods magic to Meralco.

The Bolts, who lost to San Mig Coffee in the semifinals in the ongoing Governors Cup, will be entering the 2013-14 season with several new faces that will beef up their lineup from top to bottom.

Now comprising their frontline will be Al-Hussaini, Raymundo, Reynel Hugnatan, and Don Allado. Expected to boost the MVP franchise’s starting lineup are Cliff Hodge, Jared Dillinger, Omolon, David, and Cortez.

Meralco, however, will not be joining this year’s draft, where Ginebra will be picking first, after Barako Bull Energy Cola acquired their first round pick in a previous trade. – Rappler.com