CONVERGE shipping guard Mike DiGregorio, whose playing time dwindled under coach Aldin Ayo in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, to Blackwater for big man Barkley Eboña should not raise the eyebrows of armchair pundits.
Pro league chief Willie Marcial greenlighted the deal yesterday, but with an interesting twist that caught many by surprise.
Aside from DiGregorio, the FiberXers also sent upstart gunner RK Ilagan and high-flying forward Tyrus Hill to the Bossing for Eboña and a first-round pick in this year’s draft.
DiGregorio will return to Blackwater where he suited up from 2017-2019 before he was dealt to TNT for Brian Heruela.
DiGregorio, who was named the Most Improved Player in 2017, moved to the defunct Alaska franchise in 2020 for Simon Enciso.
The energetic Eboña was tabbed fourth overall by the Aces three years ago but was traded to Blackwater along with JVee Casio for Mike Tolomia and a 2022 second round pick in 2021.
A former Far Eastern University Tamaraw, Eboña showed immense potential for Alaska under the mentorship of Aces assistant coach and PBA great Danny Ildefonso.
The 6-foot-1 Fil-Italian DiGregorio averaged 4.6 points last season for Converge.
Ilagan was drafted 31st overall by Alaska two years ago.
The ex-San Sebastian College standout was good for 9.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.9 rebounds in the Commissioner’s Cup.
The FiberXers appeared to be a title contender in the mid-season tourney after going on a seven-game winning streak but lost their last two matches in the eliminations and wound up with an 8-4 mark for fourth.
Converge then lost to San Miguel Beer 0-2 in their quarterfinals battle.
The Bossing finished with a 3-9 slate and failed to advance to the playoffs.
