After a troubled relationship, Rain or Shine Elastopainters has finally pulled the trigger on a trade for Raymond Almazan, sending the beleaguered bruiser to the Meralco Bolts.
Sources bared the franchise co-owned by Raymond Yu and Terry Que has decided to part ways with the Gilas Pilipinas bruiser in exchange for a pair of future first-round picks, 2019 and 2020. Trade papers was already approved by the PBA Commissioner.
In his six years with the Elasto Painters, the Orion, Bataan native was named an All-Star twice and earned a call-up to the national team a number of times.
However, the former Letran star has had a rough few years with the Rain or Shine franchise, at one point disappearing for days amid talk of a strained relationship with Guiao's successor, Caloy Garcia.
Almazan only suited up for six games in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup, averaging 8.0 points and 6.0 rebounds.
Despite showing up in practice, Almazan did not participate in full contact drills and only took part in shootarounds with his new teammates, as he has yet to regain shape following a long time of not playing due to a calf injury and a sprained ankle.
"Excited na ako maglaro eh. Excited na rin ako mag-practice with the team. New team, new life, new beginning," said Almazan. "Sana makatulong ako sa Meralco. Alam naman natin matagal na sila naghahanap ng big man eh."
Meralco coach Norman Black added that Almazan will still have undergo a physical as he is still nursing an injury that has been bothering him since the Philippine Cup.
"Raymond has to take a physical before he starts to join us in practice," Black said. "He is coming off a leg injury so we want to make sure he is okay. That appointment is set tomorrow morning (Friday) so we will find the results of his physical tomorrow and we will go from there."
Black added Almazan is also not familiar with the system yet as he only joined practice on 16 May.
Sources bared the franchise co-owned by Raymond Yu and Terry Que has decided to part ways with the Gilas Pilipinas bruiser in exchange for a pair of future first-round picks, 2019 and 2020. Trade papers was already approved by the PBA Commissioner.
In his six years with the Elasto Painters, the Orion, Bataan native was named an All-Star twice and earned a call-up to the national team a number of times.
However, the former Letran star has had a rough few years with the Rain or Shine franchise, at one point disappearing for days amid talk of a strained relationship with Guiao's successor, Caloy Garcia.
Almazan only suited up for six games in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup, averaging 8.0 points and 6.0 rebounds.
Despite showing up in practice, Almazan did not participate in full contact drills and only took part in shootarounds with his new teammates, as he has yet to regain shape following a long time of not playing due to a calf injury and a sprained ankle.
"Excited na ako maglaro eh. Excited na rin ako mag-practice with the team. New team, new life, new beginning," said Almazan. "Sana makatulong ako sa Meralco. Alam naman natin matagal na sila naghahanap ng big man eh."
Meralco coach Norman Black added that Almazan will still have undergo a physical as he is still nursing an injury that has been bothering him since the Philippine Cup.
"Raymond has to take a physical before he starts to join us in practice," Black said. "He is coming off a leg injury so we want to make sure he is okay. That appointment is set tomorrow morning (Friday) so we will find the results of his physical tomorrow and we will go from there."
Black added Almazan is also not familiar with the system yet as he only joined practice on 16 May.
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