Cyrus Baguio finally got his wish to reunite with coach Yeng Guiao after the NLEX Road Warriors acquired him from the Phoenix Fuel Masters in a three-team trade that also involved the GlobalPort Batang Pier yesterday.
NLEX had to send veteran forward Mac Baracael to GlobalPort and a 2020 second draft pick to Phoenix in order to get Baguio, who had some of his best years when he played for Guiao at Red Bull Barako and Burger King in the late-2000s.
Phoenix also received journeyman Dylan Ababou, playing his third team this season after suiting up for Blackwater in the Philippine Cup and GlobalPort in the Commissioner’s Cup.
It was the second straight week that Phoenix made a major move after getting veteran shooter Jeff Chan from Rain or Shine in exchange for Mark Borboran and a 2020 second round pick.
“Cyrus wanted to reunite and hopefully end his career with coach Yeng, it’s been his wish even when he was with Alaska. We respect that and wish him nothing but the best,” said Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia, who got Baguio in a trade with Alaska last year.
Set to turn 37 on Saturday and at the twilight of his career, Baguio hopes to make a key contribution for the Road Warriors in his reunion with Guiao and veteran Larry Fonacier, his teammate during his stint with Red Bull.
Baguio was drafted by Red Bull in the second round of the talent-rich 2003 draft, but it took a while before Guiao molded the former University of Santo Tomas star into one of the PBA’s best players.
The Iligan City native was later dealt to Burger King in late-2008, but was joined by Guiao after the fiery mentor left Red Bull to handle the squad the following year. Their first reunion lasted for about a year when Baguio went to Barangay Ginebra in a trade.
