Giants get Allado, KG in 3-team trade deal

Air21, Purefoods and Barangay Ginebra entered into a three-way trade deal involving six players and three future draft picks with the three teams about to start their preparation for the coming PBA Fiesta Conference.

The Lina Group franchise made a major facelift in its lineup while hoping the PBA board approves its bid for a name change — from Air21 to Burger King — in a meeting today at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.

The Express traded Don Allado, Niño (KG) Canaleta, JC Intal and Doug Kramer, and in return gained Beau Belga, Chad Alonzo and three future picks (Ginebra’s first round in 2012 and 2013 and another from Purefoods).

Allado and Canaleta went to Purefoods while Intal and Kramer moved over to Ginebra. Chico Laneta was part of the deal, first going to Air21 before ending up with Ginebra.

“We have a surplus of players on the entry of Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz. What we did was to balance our lineup with a properly-planned trade deal,” said team manager Lito Alvarez.

“We didn’t opt for draft picks in the near future because we’re happy with the talents we have. We opted for 2012 and 2013, thinking that’s the time the likes of Wynne Arboleda and Homer Se are retiring,” Alvarez added.

He also said the deal could work out well for players concerned.

“Arwind Santos is playing around 35 minutes a game for us. So more or less 13 minutes would be left for KG (Canaleta) and JC (Intal). I think, KG and JC will get more exposure in their new teams,” explained Alvarez, adding the same on the cases of Allado and Kramer.

The Giants and the Kings, meanwhile, welcomed their new recruits. “We filled in the spots left by our injured players,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

“Don Allado will help us strengthen our rotation at center spot. He has a deadly perimeter jumper and solid post moves. He is also one of the best post defenders in the league. KG, on the other hand, is an explosive athlete who can score from the inside and all the way from the three-point area. He’s a consistent scorer who can compliment the games of Kerby Raymundo, James Yap and Rico Villanueva,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

“We had problems in scoring last conference. I hope with Allado and Canaleta on board, our inability to score can be addressed,” Gregorio added.   – Nelson Beltran