‘Prime’ Ian Sangalang not on the trading block, says Chito Victolero

Ian Sangalang is staying put with Magnolia.

Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero insisted that the 29-year old Sangalang is not going anywhere especially now that the team was able to acquire his college teammate Calvin Abueva. The two were part of the San Sebastian Stags in NCAA Season 85 which went on to capture the title over rival San Beda.

Victolero, in fact, plans to add another big man to complement the squad’s newly-formed frontline combination of Sangalang and Abueva.

“I will not trade Ian. I talked Ian about it na I will get a player na makakasama niya,” said Victolero shortly after the league’s trade committee gave its stamp of approval on the shocking swap.

Sangalang, who was taken in by Magnolia, then called the San Mig Coffee Mixers, with the second overall pick in the 2013 just behind Greg Slaugher, has won 4 championships with the team including a rare triple-crown in 2014.

Victolero said that trading Sangalang, even for a player with the same value, will be detrimental to the team.

“Hindi rin magkakaroon ng improvement kasi parehas lang ‘yun eh. You need someone na you will pair with him para mas improved kami. Kasi kung itetrade mo siya at papalitan mo ng bago, it affects the chemistry, maraming maapektuhan, and then you will pick a guy again to your system,” explained the former MBA and PBA player.

“Two weeks ago sinabi ko na rin kay Ian ‘yan. Actually last year pa ‘yan. Me and management also talked about it na we will not trade Ian because we feel na sa age niya, he is only 29 years old at ito na ‘yung prime niya,” he added.

“Why do you trade this guy na sobrang bata pa tapos ang dami niyang upside. I think he knows it, kinausap ko siya. Eto ‘yung sinasabi ko sa kanya na I tried to find somebody na ganyan.”