Revilla feeling right at home with new team

LA Revilla spent the final minutes of his second practice with the Phoenix Fuel Masters in high spirits, shooting free throws alongside rookie and fellow La Salle alumnus Jason Perkins before sharing a light moment with incoming sophomore Matthew Wright.

Revilla seems to be feeling right at home with the Fuel Masters after being acquired from the Kia Picanto in a trade triggered by his controversial tweet three weeks earlier.

“Happy ako,” Revilla told the Bulletin shortly after Phoenix’s practice session at the Upper Deck Sports Center yesterday. “Obviously it’s a new environment, new scenery, new group of people, and I’m happy to be part of this team and excited for this season.”

The 5-foot-7 guard will have the luxury of having to play alongside Wright, Perkins, RJ Jazul and Jeff Chan, a collection of talent that deprived him during Kia’s underachieving campaign last season.

The Picanto won just six of 33 games marred by a winless record in the Governors’ Cup, giving them the No. 1 pick in the draft. But management dealt its rights to the San Miguel Beermen in a trade that made Revilla reach the boiling point.

“Kung magpapalusot man lang sana ginandahan niyo na ang rason. Hindi talaga eh. Bagsak kayo sigurado kung may lie detector,” Revilla tweeted shortly after Kia explained its unconventional decision to let the Beermendraft Christian Standhardinger.

Though Revilla later deleted the post, Kia officials were obviously disappointed and placed him on a trading block. Two days ago, the Picanto agreed to send Revilla to the Fuel Masters in exchange for rookie Jayson Grimaldo and a 2018 second round pick.

“Hindi ko naman sila masisisi na ga- Revilla said.

“It’s part of growing up, especially on my young career, kahit papaano dapat matuto ako dun and just move on,” he added.