NLEX trades for Winston, Racal in three-team deal

Schonny Winston (middle)

(PBA Images)

MANILA, Philippines — Schonny Winston appears headed to a new squad come the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

NLEX has traded for Winston and Kevin Racal as part of a three-team deal, the Road Warriors said.

The deal, which is still pending league approval, will bring NLEX forward Javee Mocon to the Meralco Bolts.

If approved by the PBA, the FiberXers will be receiving young wing Jonnel Policarpio, as well as guard Kurt Reyson and a future pick from the Bolts.

Winston was one of the young guns of Converge. In the PBA Philippine Cup, he averaged 11.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest.

Policarpio was the sixth overall pick of NLEX in the 2024 PBA Draft. The FiberXers, who earlier traded for Calvin Abueva, will be adding another talented wing alongside the frontcourt of Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana.

Reyson, for his part, was the 23rd overall pick for the Bolts in the 2024 draft.

Mocon was acquired by the Bolts in September 2024, which sent Ato Ular and a pick to Phoenix.

Racal will now be playing for a new franchise. Since being drafted in 2015 by the Alaska Aces, he played for the team, and even made the transition to Converge when the FiberXers took over the now-defunct Aces franchise.

“We are truly grateful to Javee and Jonnel for their professionalism and commitment during their time with NLEX. Javee brought leadership to our locker room, while Jonnel showed great potential and energy from day one," said NLEX Road Warriors team governor Ronald Dulatre in a statement.

"We thank them for their contributions to the Road Warriors and wish them nothing but success in the next chapter of their careers.”