Barako’s Artadi traded to Meralco for Lanete

THE MERALCO BOLTS and the Barako Bull have switched point guards in a trade involving “Kid Lightning” Paul Artadi and veteran Chico Lanete.

The two teams had the deal finalized after it got the approval from the PBA commissioner’s office yesterday afternoon.
The deal reunites Artadi with Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio, who drafted the speedy guard for Purefoods out of the University of the East with the first pick in the second round in 2004. Artadi was traded to Barangay Ginebra in 2007, before Gregorio reacquired him in 2009. When Gregorio left the Purefoods franchise in 2010, Artadi found himself dealt to San Miguel. Together, Artadi and Gregorio have won two championships.

For the Bolts, the trade was initiated to nab themselves a guard that can start the fastbreak alongside their star wingman, Solomon Mercado. Lanete was a valuable part-time starter for Meralco this past tournament, averaging 9.4 points a game, including a 24-point, nine-assist explosion against B-MEG in the first round of eliminations. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio