MAHINDRA wanted immediate results that’s why the team formerly called Kia traded No. 2 overall pick Troy Rosario to Talk ‘N Text.
Assistant Coach Chito Victolero admitted it was hard to let go of a talent like Rosario but Mahindra got the better end of the three-team, five-player deal approved by Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Chito Narvasa on Tuesday.
“We need players who will fill in the spots that we need right now and we got three players, and they are good talent who can contribute right away,” Victolero told BusinessMirror on Wednesday.
“Plus they are all veterans so we feel it was a good trade for us,” he added.
Rosario, a standout from National University, was picked second in Sunday’s Rookie Draft behind Moala Tautuaa of Talk ‘N Text.
But Mahindra of playing-Coach Manny Pacquiao went into a deal with the Tropang Texters and NLEX with Rosario going to Talk ‘N Text for Kevin Alas and Rob Reyes. The Enforcers then dealt Alas to the Road Warriors for Niño Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos.
In summary, Mahindra landed a center in Reyes, a mobile forward in Canaleta and a spot-up big man in Ramos.
The Enforcers also got 6-foot-5 Bradwyn Guinto (No. 14 overall) and Filipino-American Leo de Vera (No. 26) of San Sebastian College in the draft.
Meralco, meanwhile, signed its No. 4 overall pick Chris Newsome to a three-year deal, while Blackwater also came to an agreement with its No. 13 overall pick Almond Vosotros.
The Bolts did not divulge details of the deal but the BusinessMirror learned Newsome’s contract is near the maximum for a rookie, which is P8.55 million. Vosotros, on the other hand, is reportedly worth P3 million.