With Intal out, Baguio ‘welcome addition’ to Phoenix

Cyrus Baguio. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

With its reliable forward JC Intal expected to miss a couple more months, Phoenix landed an insurance veteran in Cyrus Baguio in a surprising move just two days away before the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup begins.

Intal is still out with bone spurs in his ankle and Baguio, who has championship experience during his stints with Red Bull and Alaska, is a much-needed addition to the Fuel Masters.

“He is a welcome addition. Cyrus is a veteran and will fit our style of play,” Phoenix head coach Ariel Vanguardia told INQUIRER.net Wednesday.

READ: Alaska sends Baguio to Phoenix for 2nd round picks

“He also gives us a proven scorer with JC out until September,” said Vanguardia, whose team traded a pair of second round picks — one in 2017 and the other in 2018 —in exchange for Baguio.

Vanguardia had said Phoenix will play with an up-and-down tempo, something that would fit a high-octane player like Baguio, who is one of the most feared guards in the open court.

A three-time champion Baguio is still going strong despite being just about a month away from turning 36.

Vanguardia also said Baguio will begin practicing with Phoenix on Thursday.

Baguio will make his Phoenix debut against Meralco on Friday.