PBA: GlobalPort revamps roster, adds Sol Mercado, Japeth Aguilar

The GlobalPort Batang Pier pulled off a major roster revamp, as the PBA approved two trades that landed last conference's cellar dweller a major boost in the form of Sol Mercado and Japeth Aguilar. In a text from PBA Media Bureau chief Willie Marcial, PBA commissioner Chito Salud approved a pair of trades involving the Batang Pier, the first of which involved a straight-up swap of Rabeh Al-Hussaini, for Talk 'N Text Tropang Texter Japeth Aguilar. GlobalPort acquired Al-Hussaini last season in a deal with the Petron Blaze Boosters, which saw them send out 2011 draft choice Marcio Lassiter. The 2010 second overall pick has been a disappointment for them though, most recently averaging just 8.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in the last Philippine Cup. He is however reunited with his collegiate mentor Norman Black, from when the two were both with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles. On the other hand, Japeth Aguilar ends his quest to break into the NBA, for now perhaps, opting for a more sure thing in the PBA. Aguilar last season put up 6.58 points, 4.12 rebounds, and 1.35 blocks for TNT, but missed the recently-concluded Philippine Cup to go to the United States. While Aguilar was drafted by the NBA-DL team Santa Cruz Warriors, he was ultimately cut, and opted not to hang on as a practice player. He stands to gain more playing time on a GlobalPort team that is bereft of height. The second deal sees GlobalPort acquire the leading scorer and assists man from the 2012-13 Philippine Cup, Sol Mercado (19.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.0 steals), from the Meralco Bolts, along with rookie Kelly Nabong, and fringe rotation players Yousif Aljamal and Jaypee Belencion. In exchange for the package, the Batang Pier send out some of their young talent, namely rookie Vic Manuel (10.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks), Rey Guevarra, and Josh Vanlandingham. Meralco will also receive the 2015 first round pick of the Batang Pier. Said commissioner Salud, "These new trades are healthy for the players and the teams involved, not to mention the league, as the competitive balance among the member-teams is decidedly enhanced. "All of the players and teams in this latest set of trades will enjoy equal and optimum benefits," he added. It's a shocker of a deal for Meralco, but it signifies their intention to build their team around Mac Cardona and Cliff Hodge, although Mercado's numbers were nothing short of brilliant just last conference. Acquiring Manuel, Guevarra and Vanlandingham meanwhile stocks their bench with serviceable pieces that could break into the squad's rotation. Mercado on the other hand will try to find his niche alongside two other high-volume scorers, Willie Miller, acquired this past offseason, and Gary David, who returns from a stint with the Gilas squad in Hong Kong. [Related: Barako Bull shake up roster, dealing with four different teams in blockbuster] The two deals are the latest to shake up the local professional league. A week prior, Barako Bull Energy Cola was the catalyst for a five-team deal that involved 10 players. - AMD, GMA News