Board tackles trades, Season 42 format

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

SEOUL—The league’s brain thrust arrived in this bustling South Korean capital on Wednesday night to plot the PBA’s path for Season 42 opening later this month, with teams also spending the time to draw up trade plans and bolster their respective rosters.

Mahindra and Star representatives came to terms that would ship Aldrech Ramos and a future pick for RR Garcia and Alex Mallari, the deal now awaiting the approval of commissioner Chito Narvasa.

Narvasa also joined the trip together with members of the board and will meet with his staff here to discuss the deal, which would later include powerhouse San Miguel Beer.

Under the deal, the Beermen, who will open defense of the Philippine Cup starting Nov. 20, will ultimately land Garcia while giving up role player Ryan Araña and future Draft rights.

Star, which also signed up a new coach in Chito Victolero in an effort to rebound from one of its worst seasons ever, is unloading some of its guards after tapping the talented Jio Jalalon from the Gilas Pilipinas Cadet Draft last Sunday.

Ramos, who averaged close to 14 points for the Enforcers the past season, will stay with the Hotshots and be the team’s prime power forward.

The board will stay here until Sunday to discuss, among other things, the format that the Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cups will adopt.

The last two conferences of the year are import-laden, and the team representatives will deliberate on what height limits will be enforced. The continued use of Asian imports in the season-closing Governors’ Cup will also be discussed.

Meanwhile, GlobalPort team owner Mikee Romero will officially assume chairmanship of the board starting Thursday when the turnover is made.

Robert Non of San Miguel Beer is the outgoing chair.