By JONAS TERRADO
Alaska solidified its intention to make Jeron Teng the future of the franchise by signing him to a three-year contract extension Friday, Feb. 19, 2021.
Teng inked on the dotted line in the presence of Alaska team governor Dickie Bachmann, sports development and public relations manager CK Kanapi-Daniolco and his agent Danny Espiritu.
The 26-year-old has been one of Alaska’s key players since being taken fifth overall in the 2017 PBA Draft.
He is coming off averages of 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 12 games during the PBA Philippine Cup bubble inside Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
By re-upping Teng, the Aces are hoping to do the same with muscular forward Vic Manuel.
Manuel is still negotiating with Alaska management in hopes of having a favorable deal.
The veteran cager initially voiced his desire to be traded but it appears that both parties are close to an agreement.
Alaska also made some moves to improve its roster by recently adding MPBL star Gab Banal and free agent center Yousef Taha.
NO DRAFT COMBINE
The PBA won’t be staging its annual Draft Combine due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the league announced Friday.
Commissioner Willie Marcial made the announcement in order to assure the health and safety of all 97 applicants for the draft proceedings slated March 14.
Marcial also took into account the government’s travel guidelines that could make it more difficult for applicants who are currently overseas.
Also considered was possible resumption of the MPBL Lakan Cup Playoffs where some applicants are expected to finish commitments with their respective teams.
“The league’s paramount duty and responsibility is to ensure the health and safety of all participants and staff that extra precautions are continuously in place to minimize/eliminate the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus,” the league said in a statement.
The combine, which applicants are required to attend, was supposed to be held March 10 and 11.
It would have given teams a closer look at players who they want to pick in the draft during the combine that includes a set of drills and scrimmages.
