Globalport sends Holstein to San Mig for Chua, Najorda

Globalport traded Tuesday towering rookie Isaac Holstein to reigning Governors Cup champion San Mig Coffee for the services of rookie center Justin Chua and lefty forward Leo Najorda, just two days after the PBA rookie draft.

One of the tallest rookies at 6-foot-7, Holstein was selected seventh overall but his “lackluster performance” in the Batang Pier’s tune-up match against the Air21 Express that ended in a draw Tuesday forced the team management to make another surprising move.

The transaction enabled GlobalPort to land the 6-foot-5 Chua, who was selected three rungs below Holstein, along with the 31-year-old Najorda, an eight-year veteran, from the Mixers.

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In a phone interview, GlobalPort head coach Junel Baculi confirmed the development.

“We were disappointed sa ipinakita ni Holstein sa tune-up game namin kanina. We really need people who can match up with bigger and taller guys like Asi (Taulava of Air21), Jun Mar (Fajardo of Petron Blaze) and Greg Slaughter (of Barangay Ginebra),” he explained.

Baculi also added the team is “very serious in their buildup for the coming season and the management wants the team to contend heavily with the league’s elite.”
“Masyadong malalaki rin ‘yung mga teams ng San Mig, Ginebra, Petron Blaze and Alaska kaya kailangan naming sumabay,” he pointed out.

With the acquisition of Chua and Najorda, Baculi is convinced they can provide the needed support to the likes of power forward Jay Washington, veteran Jondan Salvador and newly-acquired Rico Villanueva.

San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone reportedly had his eye on Holstein last Sunday, but was beaten to the punch by Globalport.