MANILA, Philippines - Mabigat man ang kanyang kalooban ay kailangang tanggapin ni San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone ang pagpapakawala nila kay starting guard Josh Urbiztondo patungo sa Barako Bull para sa 30th season ng PBA.
“It was hard for me because I loved Josh and I thought he represented our organization extremely well,” ani Cone. “It would have been tough to trade any of our point guards, but Josh was the hardest because of my personal relationship with him.”
Dinala ng Mixers si Urbiztondo sa Energy Cola kapalit ng first round pick ng Barako Bull sa 2013.
Walang draft picks ang San Mig Coffee, dating B-Meg, sa 2013 at 2014 PBA Rookie Draft.
Naipamigay ng Mixers ang kanilang 2013 at 2014 first round picks sa mga nakaraang trades kung saan nahugot nila sina Jonas Villanueva, KG Canaleta at Don Allado.
Si Urbiztondo, isang undrafted player sa 2009 PBA Draft, ay inaasahang mapapakinabangan ng Energy Cola ni mentor Junel Baculi matapos mapakawalan si Wynne Arboleda at nadala si two-time PBA Most Valuable Player Willie Miller sa Global Port Batang Pier mula sa isang trade.
Nakatulong si Urbiztondo sa paghahari ng San Mig sa nakaraang PBA Commissioner’s Cup at ang kanilang ikalawang sunod na finals appearance sa Governors Cup.
“Thanks to SMC and BMEG for everything and your services! It was an honor playing for such a classy organization!!!,” ani Urbiztondo sa kanyang Twitter account. “We had a great run to a CHAMPIONSHIP and BACK TO BACK finals appearance in the year I was acquired! An experience I will never forget!!!.”
Nagtala si Urbiztondo ng mga averages na 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds at 2.9 assists para sa Mixers.