Phoenix makes another move, gets Mercado

Phoenix Fuel acquired three-time PBA champion Sol Mercado from NorthPort to shore up its pool veterans while getting some size at the point guard position for the next season of the Philippine Basketball Association.

Mercado joins the Fuel Masters, who gave up undersized playmaker LA Revilla and seldom-used forward Rey Guevarra in a swap with the Batang Pier, which the league approved on Monday afternoon.

Phoenix team manager Paolo Bugia was supposed to answer all queries regarding the trade, but begged off because he was busy attending an event.

Mercado, the fifth overall pick in the 2008 draft, can add leadership and experience to the young squad that remains to be wanting in a dominant big man.Mercado has won three titles with Barangay Ginebra and was a steady presence for NorthPort.This trade is Phoenix’s second in less than a week after shipping Ron Dennison for Brian Heruela, the backup point guard of four champion San Miguel Beer teams. INQ