Published February 1, 2021, 5:33 PM
The Meralco Bolts began preparation for the season-opening PBA Philippine Cup on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, by signing incoming 10-year swingman Allein Maliksi to a contract extension.
Maliksi inked on the dotted line while in the presence of team manager Paolo Trillo and agent Danny Espiritu, becoming the latest player to receive a fresh deal.
The Bolts had earlier given new contracts to veteran Reynel Hugnatan, backup big man Jammer Jamito and even Michael Canete, who was not part of the team’s campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The new deal came on the same day Meralco started group workouts at the Meralco Gym in Ortigas. The Bolts were one of the first squads allowed to train after securing a clearance from the Games and Amusements Board and the local LGU.
Meralco inks Hugnatan, two other bigs to one-year deals
3dJonathan Selvaraj
The Meralco Bolts signed big men Reynel Hugnatan, Jammer Jamito, and Nonoy Baclao to respective one-year extensions on Monday afternoon.
Other terms of the deal were not disclosed, according to a report by the league s official website.
Meralco, fresh off its best-ever finish in the Philippine Cup, will be leaning on the three to bolster their frontcourt in the upcoming 46th PBA season, which is set to tip off this April.
Other key players in the frontcourt include Raymond Almazan and Cliff Hodge.
Hugnatan, the 42-year-old stretch forward, seemingly turned back the clock after a strong performance inside the PBA bubble in Clark, Pampanga. He posted averages of 11.7 points on 43% shooting, 35% from three, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. The performance was strong enough to claim a Most Improved Player nomination.
Published January 11, 2021, 6:53 PM
Meralco big man Jammer Jamito goes for a shot against San Miguel players in the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup. (PBA Images)
Meralco coach Norman Black is excited to have big men Nonoy Baclao and Jammer Jamito back for the 46th PBA season which is being eyed to start in April.
Baclao and Jamito each signed a fresh one-year contract with the Bolts on Monday.
“I’m very happy to have them back with the Meralco team this year. Jammer and Noy give us the size on the defensive end of the court needed to be competitive in the PBA,” Black told the