Filtered By: Sports
Sports

PBA trade: Quiñahan in exchange for 2 future picks approved


Not just one but two future picks will be given to the Air21 Express, who have agreed to send slotman JR Quiñahan to the Powerade Tigers. Powerade coach Bo Perasol and Air21 board governor Johann Ramos made the confirmation to GMANews.TV Monday night. “We’ve already agreed on the revisions made by the Commissioner, because we really need to get the services of JR Quiñahan," said Perasol. “He’s the team’s immediate need." The Tigers earlier agreed to give the Express their 2014 first-round pick in exchange for the beefy 6-foot-5 Quiñahan.

Chito Salud
Instead of the one-on-one trade, PBA commissioner Atty. Chito Salud made some adjustments by giving Air21 Powerade’s 2013 first-round pick instead of 2014 as proposed by the two teams. A 2012 second-round draft pick was also approved to be given to the Express. Both camps have agreed on the revisions by the Commissioner and signed the document coming from the PBA Commissioner's Office, finalizing the deal that was verbally agreed upon by the two teams last week, but was only documented and revised Monday. “Basically, the idea of trading Quiñahan is to free up some space in our frontline. JR will be our fifth big man and we won’t be able to maximize Jay-R Reyes, our new acquisition, if we still have Quiñahan," said Johann Ramos. Ritualo to Meralco via free agency Powerade and Meralco have agreed on an early one-on-one swap between deadshot guard Ren-Ren Ritualo and promising young player Ogie Menor, but the trade was disapproved by Commissioner Salud.

When we were playing in Cebu, all the teams which we went up against were playing zone against us forever. They’ve easily figured a way to stop us, which led me to the idea of tapping a shooter, and Ritualo fits the role.
– Ryan Gregorio, Meralco coach
“The Commissioner turned it down," said Perasol. “Maybe he felt Ren-Ren has an advantage over Menor, that’s why the proposed trade didn’t push through." Instead of getting a player in return in unloading Ritualo, the Tigers found themselves empty-handed, as they were forced to release the 6-foot-1 former La Salle standout to the free-agency list. Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio confirmed the deal had bogged down, but the Bolts mentor said they were able to get the rights on Ritualo based on two things — Powerade has already released him to the free-agent list, and the player himself has expressed his intent to play for Meralco. “Tomorrow (Tuesday), we will submit to the PBA Office our intention of acquiring the services of Ren-Ren and the player's conforme to play for Meralco," said Gregorio, who added that the inclusion of one of the league’s dependable three-point shooters will not only add depth, but will also give the squad a player who can complement his once one-dimensional squad. “When we were playing in Cebu, all the teams which we went up against were playing zone against us forever," added Gregorio. “They’ve easily figured a way to stop us, which led me to the idea of tapping a shooter, and Ritualo fits the role." Gregorio, also the head of basketball operations of Meralco, also revealed that he once considered veteran swingman Junthy Valenzuela, but opted to get Ritualo instead. “His (Valenzuela) knee isn’t ready yet, so we looked for the next best option, and we found it in Ren-Ren," added Gregorio. - KY, Rey Joble, GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT