Air21, RoS agree on post-season trade; Marcy, Doug switch teams

Air21 and Rain or Shine provided a quick remedy in shoring up their respective rosters before the start of the coming Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft this month. The Express and the Elasto Painters primed themselves up in getting the best talent available in the coming Rookie Draft by addressing their immediate needs with the first post-season trade over the weekend. The Express sent bruising forward Doug Kramer to the Elasto Painters in exchange for guard Marcy Arellano. Rain or Shine co-team owner Terry Que confirmed the news to GMANews.TV. “It was sealed during the get-together of our past and present players," said Que. “We really need a big man, so I guess Kramer will be a big help for us. It’s a good trade for both teams." Air21 coach Yeng Guiao said in a previous interview that his team will use the draft to get a quality point guard as backup for Wynne Arboleda. The team has three first-round picks, but has already given up its second overall choice to B-Meg Derby Ace during a multi-player trade early this season. The trade saw Raffi Reavis, Paul Artadi and Chris Timberlake being shipped to the eventual Philippine Cup champions. With the acquisition of Arellano, a dependable quarterback from University of the East, who played limited with Rain or Shine, the Express might target a quality frontliner. Rabeh Al Husseini, a 6-foot-7 slotman, who played for Smart-Gilas and Ateneo, is undoubtedly the best big man in the lot, but he is also being eyed by Talk N Text. The Tropang Texters, who failed to advance past the finals of the two conferences this season despite having a talent-laden squad, are seeking a legitimate center. Officially, Barako Bull owns the No.1 pick, which was obtained by Talk N Text, while Air21 is lined up as second. But the Express won the lottery pick. This means that B-Meg Derby Ace, which has already secured the Express' No.2 pick, will be picking first in the coming Rookie Draft. Other frontliners who are expected to be under the radar of teams picking in the first round are Nonoy Baclao, also a member of the Ateneo’s back-to-back champion squads, as well as Elmer Espiritu and Pari Llagas of University of the East. - GMANews.TV