Phoenix pounces on chance to get more experience, trades away no. 4 PBA draft pick

MANILA, Philippines—Phoenix head coach Louie Alas chose to play it safe in the upcoming PBA season after his club reportedly traded away the fourth pick in the 2018 Draft to acquire a couple of veterans from NLEX.

The Fuel Masters received combo guard Alex Mallari and power forward Dave Marcelo in exchange for the fourth pick.

Alas said Phoenix chose to get who are available instead of waiting for its fortune in the Draft.

“We’re looking for a point guard in this year’s Draft but this offer was presented to us so why not?” said Alas in Filipino during the Combine Thursday at Gatorade Hoops Center.

“Why wait and eventually miss out on the chance because we don’t know who’ll be selected from one to three.”

Alas said Mallari and Marcelo, who were both drafted in 2012, already have the experience and have five titles between them.

Phoenix still has the 12th pick in the Draft and Alas said the team will still look for a big man or a point guard who’s not afraid to be gritty.

CJ Perez, Robert Bolick, and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. are the expected top three selections in this year’s rookie class and the Fuel Masters were one slot away from selecting either of those names.