MANILA – Bacolod Master Sardines loads
up its roster midway into the 2019-2020 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League
Lakan Cup with acquisition of big men Jessie Saitanan and Benedict Adamos and
guard Jess Mar Villahermosa in separate trades.
In the trade that was approved by MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, Saitanan
was shipped by San Juan Knights to the Bacolod in exchange for Haddi Porto and
Lloyd Castor.
Villahermosa and Adamos, on the other hand, made their way to the Master
Sardines after being traded away by the Bataan Risers for guard Jerome Ortega
and Ralph Tansingco.
Saitanan, a former Mapua University Cardinals standout, has suited up for PBA
teams NorthPort Batang Pier and TNT KaTropa and was also part of the Magnolia
Hotshots’ Governors’ Cup champion team last year.
In the MPBL, the 6-foot-5 Saitanan played for Imus Bandera-GLC Truck and
Equipment and was picked up by the reigning MPBL champions Knights at the start
of the Lakan Cup.
Villahermosa, on the other hand, was part of the many-time NCAA men’s
basketball champion San Beda University Red Lions and has played with Caloocan
Supremos and Risers in the MPBL.
Adamos, for his part, will also serve as vital cog in the middle for the
Bacolod once he finishes his stint with the University of Perpetual Help Altas
in theNCAA.
Meanwhile, Bacolod recently signed up homegrown player Mark dela Cruz to add up
to their new acquisitions Jerick Canada from free agency and Alfren Gayosa via
dispersal draft./PN
