MANILA – Negrense center Siverino “Nonoy” Baclao will still be part of Alaska Aces campaign ahead of the 2019 PBA season after agreeing to a one-year contract extension.
The Bacolod City native Baclao will be entering his fourth year with the Aces after jumping from one team to another since being drafted first overall by Air 21 Express in 2010.
Baclao, a former standout of West Negros University and Ateneo de Manila University, was initially offered a two-year extension by the Aces but he opted for just one-year contract.
Baclao, also a one-time PBA champion, played a key role for the Aces in their 2017-2018 PBA season that saw them finishing runner-up in the Governors’ Cup as he took over the spot of injured center Joachim Thoss.
Aside from Baclao, the Aces also gave Elvin Jake Pascual and Carl Bryan Cruz a two-year extension.
Reserve center Yutien Andrada will also be given an extension.
Moreover, the Aces added young blood to its lineup after giving two-year contracts each to the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft selections Jesper Ayaay and Gideon Babilonia.
The entry of Ayaay and Babilonia, however, has forced Aces head coach Alex Compton to let go of three veteran players in Karl Dehesa, Ronald Pascual and Marion Magat, who are trying out for a spot at NLEX Road Warriors.
Alaska has yet to plunge back to training following their grueling Governors’ Cup finals series with Magnolia Hotshots last December.
It will make their 2019 PBA Philippine Cup debut against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Feb. 3./PN
