Magnolia lands Chris Koon, trades Aris Dionisio to Titan Ultra

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

After only four games into the PBA All-Filipino Conference, the Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados already pulled off a shocking trade, acquiring rookie Chris Koon from Titan Ultra, confirmed on Oct. 28, 2025.

With no further trade package overhaul or additional recommendations, the PBA Board, headed by Commissioner Willie Marcial, approved the negotiation between Magnolia and Titan Ultra.

As part of a restructured system under new head coach LA Tenorio, Koon’s addition to the Chicken Timplados brings more youthful depth to an already talented roster.

In exchange, Magnolia had to let go of Aris Dionisio, one of their reliable three-and-D wing players, who will now head to the newest franchise in the PBA.

Koon, the fourth overall selection in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft, is averaging 7.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in his first five games as a professional basketball player.

On the other hand, Dionisio — a key piece in Magnolia’s consistent playoff run over the last five years, including a career-high 30-point game — will be playing for a new team for the first time in his PBA career.

The lefty small forward was a former ninth pick in the 2019 PBA Draft but made more noise when he played in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) from 2018 to 2020.

During his three-year run with the Manila Stars, Dionisio became a member of the 2019 All-MPBL First Team and bagged Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Currently, the Chicken Timplados sit atop the PBA standings with a win-loss record of 3-1, while Titan Ultra is at the bottom with one win and four losses.