Cabagnot to SMB, Mercado to Globalport

In hopes to have stability at the point guard spot in the playoffs, Philippine Cup outright semifinalist San Miguel Beer has re-acquired veteran Alex Cabagnot following a trade with Globalport.

The deal was consummated Wednesday by both teams and approved by the PBA Commissioner’s Office just hours before the 5 p.m. trade deadline as playoffs starts today at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Globalport official Erick Arejola confirmed the trade, as the Batang Pier will get its former player as well in Sol Mercado plus two second round picks, one in 2018 and another in 2019 Rookie Draft. Both teams are in the playoffs. “We are looking toward the team’s future and we wanted to take advantage of the situation which we feel is a good trade,” said team manager Bonnie Tan. “Even before the season started, we’ve been looking for a trade since Alex wanted to be released and the opportunity came now.”

Tan, however, stressed that they parted ways with Cabagnot amicably.

San Miguel Beer booked an outright semifinal seat after beating expansion team Blackwater, 91-62, Tuesday night.

San Miguel Beer, which tied Rain or Shine with similar 9-2 records, will get the No. 1 seeding due to the “winner over the other’ rule”, while ROS will take No. 2 the rest of the playoffs.

The Beermen defeated the Elasto Painters, 87-79, last Oct. 21.

Globalport, on the other hand, was relegated to No. 8 as it lost to Meralco (82-70), and will have a twice-to-win disadvantage against No. 5 Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in their quarterfinal match up on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The addition of Cabagnot will boost SMB’s guard rotation, where the 10year veteran will share playing minutes with fellow Fil-Am Chris Ross and sophomore Jeric Fortuna.