NorthPort sends Lucero to Magnolia in exchange for Jalalon, Tratter; ships Adamos to Ginebra

NorthPort continued to retool its roster after finalizing two major deals just a day after the PBA Rookie Draft.

The Batang Pier shipped young Zav Lucero to Magnolia in exchange for the tandem of Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter. The Bonnie Tan-mentored squad also sent big man Ben Adamos away to Barangay Ginebra to acquire the services of Sidney Onwubere.

The deals were approved by the league on Monday.

Lucero is tipped to be a huge boost for the Hotshots, who are looking to end years of title drought with the former fifth overall pick joining a veteran-laden Magnolia camp led by Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Calvin Abueva, Rome Dela Rosa, and Rafi Reavis. 

Lucero had to wait a little longer before making his PBA debut last conference after a battle with an injury he sustained during UAAP Season 85. He made his first professional game in March and impressed since then, emerging as the second best scorer for Batang Pier with 12.08 points on top of 5.42 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.17 steals. 

Meanwhile, NorthPort has injected two veterans into its roster with Jalalon and Tratter, who both had been crucial pieces for the Hotshots in the past conferences. 

Ginebra also got what it failed to secure during the Draft.

Originally planning to pick a big man, Ginebra opted to select guard RJ Abarrientos instead for the number 3 pick that they acquired from a trade with Terrafirma. 

The Gin Kings will now have the services of Ben Adamos after a one-on-one trade that saw them sending Sidney Onwubere to NorthPort. 

Adamos is set to fill in the void left by Christian Standhardinger, whom Ginebra shipped to the Dyip alongside Stanley Pringle in exchange for Stephen Holt and Isaac Go. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News