Photo by PBA/Nuki Sabio
MANILA—Mark Barroca, the former Far Eastern University ace who had his share manning the starting point guard position for the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team, was shipped from Shopinas to B-Meg in a three-team, four-player deal completed Tuesday.
B-Meg swapped veteran Don Allado and rookie Brian Ilad for Barroca, selected fifth overall from the rookie draft. Barako Bull, formerly Air21, was the third team in that deal and sent high-flying former University of the East superstar Elmer Espiritu to Shopinas in exchange for Allado.
Barroca gets the chance to play alongside two-time MVP James Yap and will share playmaking duties with Llamados veterans Roger Yap and Jonas Villanueva, who is also a former FEU starter.
Shopinas is the second team of the Bert Lina group after Barako Bull/Air21, with its franchise formerly owned by Photokina.
Espiritu was the fourth overall choice last year after Nonoy Baclao, eventual Rookie of the Year Rabeh Al-Hussaini, and Rey Guevarra. Ilad was selected 16th overall by the Llamados, who exercised their only pick in the Draft on the former La Salle mainstay.
The deal has not yet reached the office of the commissioner Chito Salud, who approves trades before they can be deemed final.
The 37th season of the PBA opens Oct. 2 with the Philippine Cup.
Barroca split starting duties with JV Casio, the No. 1 overall pick this year who was tabbed by Powerade. Another point guard, University of the East’s versatile guard Paul Lee, was selected second overall by Rain or Shine.