Russell Escoto signs one-year deal with Magnolia

Magnolia has just signed big man Russell Escoto to a fresh one-year deal.

The 28-year old Escoto, who was selected by Terrafirma, then known as Mahindra Floodbuster, during the special draft of Gilas Pilipinas cadets in 2016, affixed his signature on the new contract in the presence of his agent Marvin Espiritu of the Espiritu-Manotoc Basketball Management (EMBM) and Magnolia team manager Alvin Patrimonio.

The 6-foot-6 center out of Far Eastern University was acquired earlier this year from the Dyip in exchange for the Hotshots’ 2nd round pick in the 2022 Rookie Draft. He, however, failed to see action during the 2021 Philippine Cup in Bacolor, Pampanga as he was still recovering from a shoulder injury.

Despite missing his services, the Chito Victolero-mentored squad went all the way to the championship round of the All-Filipino conference but was totally outclassed in five games by the TNT Tropang Giga.

Aside from the Dyip, Escoto previously played for NorthPort and San Miguel. He was part of the controversial deal which saw the Beermen land CJ Perez from Terrafirma in exchange for five players. In addition to Escoto, the league’s winningest franchise packaged Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Gelo Alolino plus 1st round picks in 2021 and 2022 for the top overall pick of the 2018 draft.