First of Many: Rain or Shine, NorthPort Engage in a Three-Man Trade

On January 4, 2021, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) lifted its moratorium on trades. Even back then, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said that we shouldn't expect trades to happen right away as PBA teams will have to wait until they know exactly how good the draft class for the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft would be. That was until last Monday, January 18, 2021, when the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters pulled the trigger.

In an attempt to furthermore beef up its frontline, the Elasto Painters of Coach Caloy Garcia sent Sidney Onwubere and Clint Dolinguez to the NorthPort Batang Pier in exchange for another big man in Bradwyn Guinto. 

If the deal gets approved by the Commissioner's Office, NorthPort will receive an Onwubere who averaged five points and three rebounds in 12 games that he played in during last season's Philippine Cup bubble conference in Clark. His highest-scoring game came on October 22 against the Alaska Aces where he scored 16 points. Meanwhile, the Batang Pier will get another former San Beda Red Lion in Clint Dolinguez who only appeared in six games inside the Clark bubble and normed four points and a rebound. 

A former San Sebastian Stag himself, Bradwyn Guinto will get a fresh alongside Beau Belga and the rest of the Elasto Painters' big men as the 2020 season saw his minutes drop to 10 minutes per game and was playing behind the likes of Christian Standhardiner and Kelly Nabong. Guinto averaged two points and a rebound. 

Photo is from Manila Bulletin