ALREADY formidable with the addition of Filipino-Tongan Moala Tautuaa, Talk ‘N Text bolstered its stock even more Tuesday after landing No. 2 pick Troy Rosario in a trade.
The Texters grabbed the first two picks of this year’s talented Draft class while giving up point guard Kevin Alas and third-string center Rob Reyes to Mahindra (formerly KIA Motors) in exchange for Rosario.
Mahindra later shipped Alas to Talk ‘N Text’s sister team, NLEX, for shooting forward KG Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos, a member of the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the Fiba Asia Olympic Qualifier next month.
Another trade had Barangay Ginebra acquiring Barako Bull’s first-round pick next year for a song. The Gin Kings gave up pint-sized guard Jens Knuttel, Emman Monfort and Josh Urbiztondo for the pick and Nico Salva.
The wide-bodied Tautuaa has a vast professional experience overseas and is seen as Talk ’N Text’s answer to dominant big men June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer and the 7-foot Greg Slaughter of Ginebra.
The addition of the 6-foot-7 Rosario, the finest homegrown big man in the Draft, gives the Tropang Texters a very potent frontline.
New league commissioner Chito Narvasa yesterday approved the trades, which were in the works weeks before the Draft.
Rosario was a member of the gold medal-winning Southeast Asian Games team and has a very promising pro career ahead of him because of his agility for his size.