PBA Trade Rumors: Magnolia is NOT ASKING for a TRADE

In the fast-paced world of PBA social media, rumors can take on a life of their own. The latest buzz surrounding the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots involves their cornerstone big man, Ian Sangalang. Rumors have been swirling that the veteran center is unhappy and has requested a trade due to a supposed lack of playing time under the team's current system.

However, before Hotshots fans start imagining Sangalang in a different jersey, it’s worth looking at the numbers and the source of these reports.

The Source: Reputable News or Clickbait?

It is important to note that the "news" of Sangalang’s trade request has primarily originated from non-reputable sources—mostly speculative YouTube channels and unverified social media "insider" pages.

Unlike major sports outlets like Spin.ph, Tiebreaker Times, or One Sports, these sources often rely on "hearsay" to generate engagement. As of now, there has been no official statement from the Magnolia management, nor have any established PBA beat reporters confirmed that Sangalang is on the trading block.

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By the Numbers: Is the "Low Minutes" Claim True?

The core of the rumor rests on the idea that Sangalang is being sidelined. But a quick look at the PBA Season 50 statistics tells a completely different story.

Far from being buried on the bench, Ian Sangalang remains a vital part of the Hotshots' rotation. In fact, he is currently averaging the 3rd highest minutes per game on the entire Magnolia roster.

Player	Minutes Per Game (MPG)
1. Zavier Lucero	36.5
2. Mark Barroca	26.6
3. Ian Sangalang	26.0
4. Rome de la Rosa	25.2
5. Jerom Lastimosa	25.1

At 26.0 minutes per game, Sangalang is seeing more floor time than veteran leaders like Paul Lee and key wing players like Rome de la Rosa. For a 34-year-old center who has battled health issues in the past, these are significant, high-usage minutes that reflect Coach LA Tenorio's continued trust in him as the team's primary interior presence.

The Verdict

While the PBA is no stranger to shock trades, the narrative that Sangalang is "unhappy with his minutes" doesn't hold up under statistical scrutiny. He remains a top-three player for Magnolia in terms of time on the court and is still a productive force, averaging double-figures in scoring.

For now, this appears to be a classic case of trade-deadline noise rather than a developing locker-room crisis.

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