Mahindra sends Mallari to NLEX

By Jesse C. Ong

In a move that hardly surprised most PBA followers, Mahindra traded Alex Mallari to NLEX after the player was openly criticized by his coach a couple of times in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup over his immaturity. 

The Floodbusters sent Mallari to the Road Warriors together with Kenneth Ighalo and a 2020 second round pick in exchange for young frontliners Glenn Khobuntin and Eric Camson.

The trade has already been approved by the league, according to PBA Media Bureau Chief Willie Marcial.

Since his transfer from Star, Mallari flourished under Coach Chris Gavina and emerged as Mahindra’s top man, averaging 17.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 34.5 minutes in the last Philippine Cup.

Mallari’s outputs in the current tournament, however, have gone down to 12 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 0.9 steals. He also earned the ire of Gavina on two occasions, where he displayed immaturity by allowing himself to get affected by the referees’ non-calls.

With eight straight losses to start the tournament and 11 straight dating back from the last conference, NLEX heads to an early Commissioner’s Cup exit but is looking to finally register a win with Mallari in its fold.

Acquiring Mallari was the third player movement that the Road Warriors made in the current conference after tabbing Rabeh Al-Hussaini from Meralco and former Ateneo Blue Eagle Juami Tiongson from the free agent

market.

NILLAMA