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PBA: Rookie Meralco gets promising Belga in 3-team trade


One by one, Meralco is putting the pieces in its bid to build a competitive team for its debut campaign in the 2010-11 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season. The rookie franchise made its first official transaction on Friday, almost two weeks since being accepted as the newest team member of the league, by acquiring burly and defense minded Beau Belga from Air21 in a three-team trade that also involved big men Ali Peek and JR Quiñahan. The Reddy Kilowatts dealt Peek to Air21 for Belga. Peek was then sent by the Express to the Tropang Texters for Quiñahan. The trade allowed Peek and Quiñahan to rejoin their former ball clubs. But the deal could just be the tip of the ice berg. Sources around the league said Talk ‘N Text top scorer Mac Cardona is certain to join Meralco this coming season and that works are now being done by trying to find a third party to make the trade possible. Under PBA rules, the sister teams like the Tropang Texters and the Reddy Kilowatts could not trade players directly. Although Cardona still has a live contract with Talk ‘N Text, a source close to the shooting guard out of De La Salle disclosed the player has agreed in principle to suit up for Meralco. Cardona cannot be reached for comment as he is currently out of the country after getting married last month. If ever Cardona moves to Meralco, he is certain to become the franchise player of a team that so far only has Nelbert Omolon, Chris Ross and 14-year veteran Marlou Aquino making up its core. Coach Ryan Gregorio also chose to keep mum about the Cardona trade. The bold move came days after the team with a celebrated history in the 70s lured Ronnie Magsanoc and Boyet Fernandez to be Gregorio’s assistants over at the Meralco bench. Magsanoc, one of Gregorio’s battery of assistants with Derby Ace, was enticed by his former coach to join him at Meralco, while Fernandez currently calls the shots for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the UAAP and was the ex-mentor of the defunct Sta. Lucia ball club – the PBA franchise brought by Meralco lock, stock and barrel. The Reddy Kiolowatts own just one pick in this year’s Rookie Draft and Gregorio has been vocal about using the No. 3 selection on versatile University of the East big man Elmer Espiritu. A former slam dunk champion, Espiritu is described by Gregorio as “athletic, a hard worker and a defender." “The profile I am looking for is youth, the hunger factor, and the winning attitude," said Gregorio. “We’re trying to start from ground zero here." – JVP, GMANews.TV

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