Ginebra team manager Chua assures no trade for Urbiztondo

MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel management denied a report that their team is about to trade veteran guard Josh Urbiztondo to the Air 21 Express.

Interviewed by Solar Sports Desk, Ginebra team manager Alfrancis Chua asserted that there is no need to enter into a trade at the moment as each and every player of their team has contributed to their current number one position in the team standings.

“Kahit ikaw yung pinakamagaling sa team, may matututunan ka pa din sa hindi masyado nagagamit. Yung lang hindi nagagalit na hindi nagagamit may matututunan ka na agad na attitude dun eh,” said Chua.

Chua said Urbiztondo is that type of off-the-bench spark plug who continues to involve himself in the game whether he is playing or not.

“Josh will give you the spark. Gamitin mo o hindi, nagbibigay yan ng motivation and instruction sa teammates niya. Hindi siya yung tatahimik lang pag hindi mo ginamit,” said Chua.

When he learned about it, Urbiztondo admitted that he almost believed the news and that it was a shock for him that a trade is being worked out despite his team’s impressive start.

“When you see an article like that you would think it’s true. Me and Boss Al, we talked and he told me that it was not true. Everything’s going really well with the team right now,” said Urbiztondo.

Now totting an 8-1 win-loss record, Ginebra recently took solo leadership after they defeated erstwhile fellow leader Petron Blaze Boosters, 97-83 during the Christmas playdate of the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup. Petron is now in solo second place with a 7-2 slate.

In that game, Urbiztondo played a conference-high 35 minutes and contributed seven points, five rebounds and five assists.

This conference, Urbiztondo has averaged 15 minutes per game and has been sharing the point guard chores with starter LA Tenorio, Jayjay Helterbrand and Emman Monfort.

“If I’m going to be on the bench and cheer for my teammates, I’ll be the biggest cheerleader out there. We’re winning and that’s the most important thing,” said Urbiztondo “I just want to be sure I will always be ready to help our team in any way we can. We’re winning, we’re 8-1 why would we change it?”