The PBA trade rumor mill is spinning, and at the center of the storm is promising young guard Bryan Sajonia. The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots reportedly have their eyes locked on the Titan Ultra Giant Risers standout, envisioning him as the ultimate heir apparent to veteran playmaker Mark Barroca.
But wanting a player and successfully trading for him are two entirely different games. The biggest question for the Hotshots front office is: What exactly is the asking price for Sajonia?
To figure out the market value, we have to look at the trades that did—and didn’t—happen.
The Gian Mamuyac Benchmark
The clearest indicator of Sajonia's sky-high trade value comes from a deal that Titan Ultra walked away from.
Recently, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters attempted to acquire Sajonia by offering their team captain, Gian Mamuyac. Titan Ultra swiftly rejected the proposal, proving they are incredibly reluctant to part ways with their prized young guard.
Because Titan rejected the deal, Rain or Shine pivoted and traded Mamuyac—along with a second-round pick—to the Phoenix Fuel Masters in exchange for a future first-round pick.
This establishes a very clear baseline for negotiations:
Mamuyac's open-market value is equivalent to a first-round pick.
Since Titan Ultra rejected a player worth a first-round pick, Sajonia's asking price is at least a premium first-round pick, if not more.
If Magnolia wants to bring Sajonia into their fold, they cannot offer standard rotation players or second-round sweeteners. They have to put premium, first-round talent on the table.
Is Yukien Andrada the Golden Ticket?
This brings us to Magnolia’s most intriguing trade chip: Yukien Andrada.
If the Hotshots are serious about securing Sajonia, Andrada is the most logical centerpiece for a trade package. Here is why:
Draft Pedigree: Andrada was selected sixth overall by the Magnolia Hotshots in the 2025 PBA Draft.
1-to-1 Value: Because he was a top-six selection just months ago, Andrada’s market value is still universally viewed as a premium first-round pick.
Positional Need: While Magnolia is looking to secure their backcourt of the future, Titan Ultra might be enticed by a 6-foot-5 forward with an elite three-point stroke who can stretch the floor and provide high-IQ frontcourt minutes.
If we do the math based on the Mamuyac benchmark, offering Andrada effectively meets Titan's minimum asking price of a first-round asset.
Will Titan Bite?
The reality is that Titan Ultra holds all the leverage. They are not actively shopping Sajonia, meaning they have the luxury of demanding an overpay.
While Andrada—a #6 overall pick—is theoretically a fair, one-for-one swap for a highly-touted rookie guard, Titan might still ask Magnolia to sweeten the pot. To guarantee the deal gets done, Magnolia might have to attach a future draft pick or a reliable bench contributor alongside Andrada.
The ball is firmly in Magnolia's court. If they genuinely believe Bryan Sajonia is the franchise point guard who can take the reins from Mark Barroca, sacrificing their most recent top draft pick in Yukien Andrada is the necessary price of admission.
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