MANILA, Philippines—It may have come off as a shock, but the trade that sent Calvin Abueva to Magnolia was actually a well-churned-out process mixed with a moment of serendipity.
Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero said that he and Phoenix counterpart Topex Robinson were already talking about a transaction that would improve the two teams’ rosters but never was Abueva mentioned in their earlier talks.
It was until the Magnolia management gave Victolero a call that a trade for Abueva could happen and the team would give what’s needed to get the polarizing forward.
“Coach Topex and I have been exploring scenarios for our teams but sometimes I’d propose something but it wouldn’t be p…
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