HAVING former collegiate players in Jeron Teng, Aljun Melecio, Abu Tratter, and Kevin Racal at his disposal seems not enough for Converge coach Aldin Ayo.
He has added another ex-ward to the FiberXers.
Converge shipped wingman Allyn Bulanadi to NorthPort for guard Jerrick Balanza, Ayo’s former player at Letran, in a one-on-one trade that was approved by PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial yesterday.
The deal finally pushed through after it was first proposed last September. Balanza reunites with Ayo, with whom he won an NCAA crown in 2015, at the FiberXers’ camp after spending his first three years as a pro with the Batang Pier.
The 6-foot-2 Balanza was tabbed 13th overall by Ginebra in the 2019 draft before he was dealt to the Mikee Romero-owned ballclub for the Batang Pier’s second round pick in 2021.
Balanza was good for 5.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists for NorthPort in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Bulanadi, 25, normed 4.4 points in the mid-season tourney.
A former San Sebastian College standout, Bulanadi was taken by the defunct Alaska franchise in the special Gilas Pilipinas draft also in 2019.
Converge also traded guards Mike DiGregorio and RK llagan and forward Tyrus Hill to Blackwater last Tuesday for Bossing big man Barkley Eboña and their first-round selection in this year’s draft.
The FiberXers appeared to be a title contender in the mid-season tourney after going on a seven-game winning streak but lost their last two matches in the eliminations and wound up with an 8-4 mark for fourth.
Converge then lost to San Miguel Beer 0-2 in their quarterfinals battle.
The Batang Pier wound up with a 6-6 card in the import-spiced tilt for sixth and lost to the Kings 0-2 in their quarterfinals duel.
