Magnolia Beverage Masters Basketball Games Updates

Nasal Cancer Sidelines Rommel Adducul: Giants Snare Villanueva, Magnolia Beverage Masters Gets Pingris

Personally, I love this move by the team's management. The team is in dire need of a defensive role player and Marc Pingris fits this position. Too bad Enrico Villanueva have to go.

It's not a secret what Pingris brings on the hardcourt. Known for his hard-nosed defense, monster rebounding, intimidating shotblocking, hussle plays, and yes, he can provide offensive firepower too.

What more can you ask for from this player? Hmmm... A championship?

The PBA forum has also rumors of another trade being cooked up at this point in time for our team. Don't miss this exciting upcoming trade as it will probably involve another marquee versatile player. This is probably the last piece of the puzzle for the new-look Magnolia Beverage Masters this coming conference.

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Nasal Cancer Sidelines Rommel Adducul: Giants Snare Villanueva, Magnolia Beverage Masters Gets Pingris

By Noli Cortez, Malaya Online
March 27, 2008

A SERIOUS illness that will sideline center Romel Adducul for the Smart PBA Fiesta Cup has forced Purefoods to make a harsh decision.

Adducul, who turns 32 on April 21, was reportedly recently diagnosed suffering cancer in his nasal or throat area that will require a long treatment, leaving the Giants with no option but to give up star forward Marc Pingris for Magnolia Beverage Masters center Enrico Villanueva.

At least two other teams and as many players were also part of the trade that has been confirmed by at least one official of a squad involved in the deal.

As of press time last night, knowledgeable sources told Malaya the trades are "done" and merely need to be submitted to the PBA for approval.

Adducul could not be contacted for comment yesterday, but his long-time agent-manager, Ed Ponceja dismissed the illness as "nothing to worry about."

"Wala ‘yan. Gagaling din si Romel. Babalik siya sa finals if ever pumasok ang team niya," said Ponceja.

A usually reliable source said the illness is actually a cancer in Adducul’s nasal or pharynx area that is "curable."

Adducul’s malady, known as nasopharyngeal cancer, afflicts the area behind the nose and the back of the throat, which is the hollow tube at the upper part of the throat that starts behind the nose and runs down to the neck to become part of the esophagus or the tube that goes to the stomach. It could be treated through surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Also not available for comment were Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio and Magnolia Beverage Masters counterpart Siot Tanquingcen, whose teams were involved in the trade along with Coca-Cola and Ginebra.

Purefoods and Magnolia Beverage Masters kick off their Fiesta campaign against each other on April 2.

Under the terms of the trade, Villanueva and Willy Wilson were sent by Magnolia Beverage Masters to Coke in exchange for Chester Tolomia and a future draftt pick. The Tigers then sent Villanueva to Purefoods for Pin-gris and Wilson to Ginebra for shooter Mark Macapagal. The Tigers traded Pingris to Magnolia Beverage Masters for Tolomia and the draftt pick.

It should be a sad parting of ways for Purefoods and Pingris.

The 6-foot-4 leaper and shot blocker fully blossomed under Gregorio since he was acquired from Air21 before the 2005-06 season, where he was adjudged Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP of the Philippine Cup and a Second Mythical Team member.

Pingris, 26, normed 9.6 points on 57.84 percent field shooting, 9.7 rebounds and 1.0 block per game in 32 contests in this year’s season-opening Philippine Cup.

Adducul was also a vital cog to Purefoods’ surge after averaging 6.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 0.8 blocks a game.