MANILA, Philippines – After torching Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in one of their meetings during the recently concluded PBA Governors Cup, it looks like Barako Bull Energy Cola point guard Emman Monfort is headed for the country's most popular pro basketball team.
Word is that Monfort will be headed for the PBA’s crowd darlings while Rob Labagala will move to the Energy Colas in a proposed trade involving another unspecified club.
The 5’6†Monfort, drafted 16th overall last season after a sterling college career with Ateneo, had a spectacular Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cup for the Energy Cola after missing the entire Philippine Cup with a broken hand. He put up career numbers, including a 25-point torching of Ginebra in a 104-91 win last August 30. The diminutive court general finished with averages of 5.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 0.8 steals while turning the ball over 0.5 times a game.
Monfort, an Iloilo City native, missed Barako Bull’s last few matches of the Governors’ Cup with a fractured ring finger.
If Monfort transfers teams, that could reunite him with Greg Slaughter (assuming that he is selected by Ginebra as the top pick in the upcoming PBA Draft) and with other former Blue Eagles LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar. He was a part of three Ateneo championship teams in the UAAP from 2009-11.
Monfort’s other Ateneo teammates – Ryan Buenafe, Justin Chua, John Paul Erram, Nico Salva, and Chris Sumalinog – also entered their names in the upcoming PBA Draft.