MANILA, Philippines – The playoff bound Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters just added more firepower after completing a trade with the Air21 Express to acquire the services of Niño “KG” Canaleta.
In the trade approved by the PBA Commissioner’s office Monday morning, January 20, the Texters gave up Fil-Am Sean Anthony, rookie point guard Eliud Poligrates, and its 2016 first round draft pick.
Approved Trades as of January 20, 2014: 1. Talk N' Text acquires KG Canaleta 2. Air 21 acquires Sean (cont) http://t.co/cWdr4heQPo
— pbaconnect (@pbaconnect) January 20, 2014The sweet-shooting Canaleta leads the Express in scoring. According to pba-online.net, the five-time slam dunk champion is averaging 16.5 points, 6.36 rebounds, and 1.36 assists per game. (READ: KG Canaleta evolves from dunk artist to three-point assassin)
The 2013 Most Improved player Canaleta gives the Texters, who shot the lights out in a dominant performance over league-leading Ginebra, a streak shooter adding to its lineup of forwards who can shoot from the outside like Ranidel De Ocampo, Danny Seigle, and Kelly Williams.
The deal leaves Talk ‘N Text with one less Fil-foreign player. Prior to the trade, the Texters had 7 Fil-foreign cagers on its lineup. The league only allows 5 Fil-foreigners to be on a team’s active roster.
Air21 gets a hard-working combo forward in Anthony. Anthony is averaging 5 points, 4.14 rebounds, and 1 assist per game this conference in 18.64 minutes of action – his lowest averages since entering the league in 2010.
The Express also get a natural point guard in Eliud Poligrates. The Cebuano dribbler should help address Air21’s point guard woes which had to rely on natural shooting guard Joseph Yeo for court general duties. – Rappler.com
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