Phoenix Super LPG was looking for somebody to fill in the three spot after parting ways with star forward Calvin Abueva last February.
Looking back at that shocker of a move, the Fuel Masters dealt the 33-year-old bruiser and their no. 10 pick in the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft to Magnolia for guard Chris Banchero and the rights for picks no. 6 and 18.
Fortunately, it didn’t take that long for the young franchise to address its need for a winger after discovering Fil-American talent Nick Demusis.
Phoenix head coach Topex Robinson admitted that he knew nothing about the former Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) standout until seeing him during one of their workout sessions for aspirants.
And he felt satisfied with what he saw, enough that they used the no. 18 pick on him in the virtual draft proceedings last Sunday.
“I never really had an idea of who Nick Demusis was,” he told Tiebreaker Vodcasts’ Coaches Unfiltered, presented by SMART. “When I saw him work out with us, he’s 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-7 wingspan, and we were looking for a three.
“We lost Calvin so we’re really looking for a three-guy, and Nick fit our billing perfect because he’s long, he can shoot from the outside. And he could pretty much play along with Jason Perkins at the three- and four-spot.”
Demusis, 30, was one of the Fuel Masters’ selections in the second round. Their other pick was former La Salle guard Aljun Melecio.
Robinson said that the team did not expect to nab the two in the deepest draft in years, thus the excitement they felt upon finding out that they were still available since Demusis and Melecio were high on their priority list.
“We never thought we’re gonna hit those two guys. They’re on the priority list. So when we had our chance and those two were still available, it was a no-brainer for us,” he said.
“It just landed on our laps.”
Asked if the two will be part of Phoenix’s roster next season, Robinson said they will “most definitely” crack the lineup along with seventh pick Larry Muyang.
“Yes, most definitely,” he said. “Because we have five spots eh, so obviously one is Larry; ‘yung dalawa, they are big on our list eh.
“Again, most definitely they’re gonna be part of our team this PBA season.”
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