Kia defends latest trade, prefers veteran talent over one rookie

Newly appointed Kia team manager Joe Lipa is well aware of the talent his team will miss out on as the controversial trade involving the top pick in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft pushed through on Friday.

But Lipa said he doesn’t mind losing one top-flight player if that means Kia will acquire veterans who will all embrace the mentality they are trying to inculcate going forward.

New Kia team manager Joe Lipa and team governor Bobby Rosales. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson/ INQUIRER.net

“One man cannot spell the difference from a team winning a championship. But for us to have three to four veteran players who we believe isn’t only talented but can also contribute to the development of the younger players, we believe that we can be very competitive,” said Lipa Friday during a small chat with reporters at Azure Residences in Bicutan hours before the trade was approved.

The Picanto acquired Ronald Tubid, JayR Reyes, Rashawn McCarthy, and a 2019 first round pick in exchange for their top pick this year, which is expected to be Christian Standhardinger.

“Don’t get me wrong, Christian Standhardinger is a great player. I’ve seen him play and the boy has a big potential,” he said

Author: Randolph B. Leongson, Inquirer
Full Article: http://sports.inquirer.net/270178/kia-defends-latest-trade-prefers-veteran-talent-one-rookie