Manila – With their trade for Bobby Ray Parks Jr. still up in their air, the Meralco Bolts has locked in on their rookie selections Trevis Jackson and Kier John Quinto in separate contracts.
Jackson, who previously played as part of Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 team, has signed a two-year contract, while Quinto was inked to a one-year deal. Contract details were not released publicly.
Bolts head coach Norman Black said that they opted for Jackson despite his team’s need to shore up its lineup due to the latter’s ability to spark the team, as showed by his performance in the PBA Developmental League.
“We opted to select Jackson with the fifth overall pick because we needed a spark as far as offense is concerned,” Black said on Jackson, who averaged 16.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.7 steals in PBA D-League.
Quinto, on the other hand, was also a worthy addition for Black after seeing him still available in the second round despite having a strong performance in the NCAA last year.
“I could not believe it, actually. For me, he was definitely a first round pick and I could not believe he dropped to the second round,” Black said. “I wanted to choose a big guy but when he was sitting there, I had no choice but to take him.”
“Bong is a talented player. Not only can he score the basketball, but he can pass and rebound,” added the former PBA Best Import awardee.
The Bolts were initially targeting Parks in a trade with the Blackwater Elite but the latter seemed not interested to part ways with their No. 2 overall selection./PN
