Red Bull ships Alvarez to Purefoods

Red Bull dealt another talented player in Rich Alvarez yesterday, dealing the 2004 Rookie of the Year awardee to Purefoods in exchange for a future draft right.

“We’d been after Rich since we lost Marc Pingris and Ray Evangelista – players who can defend the wing and at the same time contribute offensively. We’re happy Red Bull finally gave us Rich,” said Purefoods governor Rene Pardo.

At Purefoods, Alvarez, 28, has been reunited with fellow Ateneo Blue Eagles Enrico Villanueva and Paolo Bugia and other old teammates in Topex Robinson, James Yap, Roger Yap and Peter June Simon.

Red Bull gained Purefoods’ first round pick in the 2011 draft after sealing the deal.

Alvarez was the latest blue-chip player given away by Red Bull after Kerby Raymundo, Willie Miller, Villanueva, Lordy Tugade, Larry Fonacier, Junthy Valenzuela and Mick Pennisi.

The trade was completed Thursday night but Alvarez wasn’t tapped to play yesterday since he hasn’t worked out with the Giants.

Alvarez returned from an ACL injury in the Fiesta Conference last season, averaging 6.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

Red Bull had barely started its training for the 2007-08 campaign when Alvarez suffered an ACL tear keeping him out of the Philippine Cup.

Meanwhile, national coach Yeng Guiao issued an apology for his unsportsmanlike gesture in the Red Bull-Talk n Text game Wednesday.

“I would like to apologize to the PBA, basketball fans and the watching public. I offer no excuses and take full responsibility for my actions. I only ask for the understanding of all concerned,” said Guiao in a statement.

He was fined P20,000.

“In the light of a greater task and heavier responsibility at hand as the national coach, I commit to avoid such unnecessary and unwanted acts in the future,” said Guiao, after his misconduct particularly the dirty finger sign he pointed to the referees while drawing his second technical that led to his ejection from the court.