Purefoods acquires Pennisi as PBA approves Barako trade

MANILA, Philippines – The Purefoods Star Hotshots have bolstered their campaign for a fifth straight PBA championship by acquiring veteran big man Mick Pennisi a few days ahead of the 2014-2015 PBA Philippine Cup playoffs. 

PBA Media Chief Bureau Willie Marcial told Rappler via text message on Monday, December 8, that the league has approved a trade between Purefoods and Barako Bull Energy that will see Pennisi go to the Hotshots in exchange for seldom-used reserves Isaac Holstein and Ronnie Matias. 

Pennisi, 40, is averaging 7.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 1.3 APG in 24.9 MPG this conference. His addition will be essential for the Hotshots (5-5), who lost second-year big man Ian Sangalang to a torn ACL a few weeks ago.

Pennisi’s long-range shooting ability makes him an ideal fit in Purefoods head coach Tim Cone’s triangle offense. Pennisi is shooting a career-low 27% from 3-point range this season but is still a threat from outside who draws out defenders and provides driving lanes for his teammates. Last season, Pennisi shot a career-high 42% from downtown. 

Pennisi’s rebounding will also be a welcome for Purefoods, which doesn’t have a player on their roster averaging double digits when it comes to pulling down boards. Marc Pingris is currently leading the team in the rebounds department with 9.1 a game, while Yousef Taha is second with 6.3 RPG. 

Pennisi, however, isn’t a rim protector. Through 10 games with Barako Bull this season, the 40-year-old has blocked just five shots, and has had a hard time keeping up with opposing guards in pick-and-rolls due to his advanced age.

Purefoods didn’t surrender much by acquiring Pennisi considering Holstein and Matias have played only a combined 24 minutes in four games this conference. Both should see more action for Barako Bull (4-6) with Holstein taking some of the minutes left void by Pennisi’s departure while Matias – part of the league’s All-Rookie team for the 2009-2010 season- should help remedy the Energy’s thin depth at the small forward position.

Assuming the PBA pushes through with their scheduled games on Tuesday, December 9,  Purefoods and Barako Bull will finish their elimination round campaigns against each other with Pennisi, Matias, and Holstein likely taking on their former teams. 

The Hotshots, losers of two straight games, are in eighth place in the league standings right now while Barako Bull isn’t far behind at ninth. Both clubs are already assured of slots in the Philippine Cup playoffs, which will begin on Thursday, December 11, assuming the schedule goes as planned.

– Rappler.com