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MANILA, Philippines – The Alaska Aces have traded veteran swingman Cyrus Baguio and their second round pick in the 2017 PBA Draft to the Phoenix Fuel Masters for two future second round picks, PBA media bureau head Willie Marcial confirmed to Rappler on Wednesday, July 13.
Inquirer also reported the transaction earlier.
In return, Alaska is set to receive one of Phoenix’s second round picks in the 2017 PBA Draft – whichever is higher among the picks the Fuel Masters own from Star, San Miguel, and Alaska.
The Aces will also receive another one of Phoenix’s second-round picks in the 2018 PBA Draft – either the one from Ginebra, Phoenix, San Miguel, or Meralco, depending on what the best remaining pick is, after NLEX gets the highest pick.
Baguio, 35, has averaged only 8.5 points a game in the past two conferences – his lowest since the 2005-2006 PBA season. The two-time PBA Mythical Second Team award winner has also shot below 40% from the field for the first time in his career.
The 3-time PBA champion and 8-time All-Star was traded to Alaska from Barangay Ginebra in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference, and not long after, helped lead the franchise to a title in the Fiesta Cup Finals where he won co-Finals MVP with LA Tenorio.
Three years later, Baguio helped lead the Aces to the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship. Following that accomplishment, he said that he wanted to retire as part of the Alaska franchise.
“Masarap maglaro dito (sa Alaska). Tahanan ko na ito. Sana nga dito na ako mag-retire,” he told Spin.ph in May 2013. (It’s fun to play here. This is my home. I hope I retire here.)
Rappler reached out on Wednesday to Alaska head coach Alex Compton who gave his now former leader compliments.
“Cyrus has been the consummate professional at Alaska. It has been a pleasure to coach him, and we appreciate all of the things he has brought to the team, including his leadership and scoring ability. We wish him the best as he moves on to Phoenix, and we are grateful for being able to work with him for so long.”
The Fuel Masters will be the fifth franchise for Baguio, who was with the Aces for 6 years. He also played in the past for Red Bull, Air21, and Ginebra.
Phoenix, which has a new head coach in Ariel Vanguardia, is about to play its second conference in the PBA. The new franchise debuted in the Commissioner’s Cup and had a 3-8 record. – with reports from Jane Bracher/Rappler.com
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