CHRIS Koon hasn’t even reached the first month of being a professional basketball yet, he’s already experienced what it’s like to get traded after being shipped by Titan Ultra to Magnolia just last Wednesday.

The Ateneo guard shared that he has been hearing rumors about him getting traded but he was still caught by surprise that it came so soon in his pro career.

“It was crazy. I’ve seen some rumors and stuff, but I didn’t think anything of it cause there were some rumors going around. But definitely I’m shocked,” he said.

READ Here's why Chris Koon was never really part of Titan's plans

“But I’m happy with the situation I’m going into with Magnolia but I’m past that now so I’m ready to get started.”

Nonetheless, he knows he’s been put in a much better position now as he moves from a 1-3 Titan Ultra squad to one of the league leaders in Magnolia, a team currently sitting among the leaders of the early goings of the Philippine Cup with a 4-1 record.

“Fresh start, feels good. Teammates have helped me a lot, coach LA, all the coaches, it’s great to be a part of it,” Koon said. “Good culture. I’m really blessed to be able to come into a situation like this with the type of people they have here.”

Just three days after getting traded, Koon already spent a whole lot of time on the floor for coach LA Tenorio and the Hotshots, playing nearly 21 minutes of action, finishing with five points and an assist off the bench in Magnolia’s 83-80 win over Phoenix.

While it’s not his best night on offense, as he made just one of five threes to shoot two of seven all in all, Koon’s focus is on being a defensive lynchpin for the Hotshots, something that he showed flashes of against the Fuel Masters.

“I think, it’s kind of how I’ve always been playing, playing my role, whatever the team needs. I think for Magnolia, it’s being an anchor on defense and being able to hold my own, hit open shots,” Koon said when asked what his expected role is for Magnolia.

“I didn’t hit one tonight, I missed a couple, which is fine. I’ve always wanted to be able to at least rely on my defense, it’s something I want to emphasize and be solid for coach LA and for all my teammates.”

They seem to be already on the same page as Tenorio also has the same expectations for him.

Big role for Koon

The rookie coach mentioned how he expects Koon to play a big role for his team, noting how Koon’s versatility on the defensive end of the floor which makes him quite a catch for this team.

Koon, standing at 6’5, primary plays the guard position but his size and length allow him to cover even the bigger guards – making him a solid all-around defensive option with the team that Tenorio’s trying to build

“Chris will be a big key to our team. He can play multiple positions,” Tenorio said.

“Probably magiging malaking factor si Chris sa amin and I’m not talking about just offensively, but defensively he’s gonna be a key factor for us cause he can guard the guard position and he can guard a big guy. Yung playing multiple positions malaking bagay para samin yan."

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