Where is Chris Ellis? Blackwater clueless on condition, whereabouts of newly acquired player
WHILE Blackwater is still riding the momentum of its second playoff stint in its young franchise history, the team is pondering its next move on dealing uncertainty its facing on newly acquired player Chris Ellis.
The Fil- Am swingman, who was one among the few players picked up by the Elite in a series of last-minute wheeling and dealing a few weeks back, is still missing in action right after he attended his first practice session with the squad two weeks ago.
Johnson Martines, team manager of Blackwater, confirmed to BusinessWorld that they have no idea on the whereabouts and condition of Ellis, who previously played for Barangay Ginebra, but was traded to Blackwater along with big man Dave Marcelo for promising but injured sophomore Art dela Cruz and forward Raymond Aguilar.
“He hasn’t returned my calls,” Mr. Martines said in a telephone interview. “We don’t know his condition now and we don’t know where we could find him.”
According to Mr. Martines, Ellis attended the Elite’s practice a few days after he got traded, but complained of severe cramps after that. Later, management learned that the player suffered from food poisoning and was dehydrated.
But Mr. Ellis has yet to contact anyone from Blackwater’s camp right after the incident.
Mr. Martines added that they will seek the help of PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa to write Ellis and know his current condition.
The Elite formalized their entry in the playoffs of the Governors’ Cup with a win over GlobalPort a few days ago. The team has been playing solid basketball behind import Henry Walker, up and coming stars Mike DiGregorio, Roi Sumang and big man Poy Erram and new recruits Allein Maliksi and Mr. Marcelo. —