PBA IMAGE/ Nuki Sabio
MANILA,Philippines—A new proposal is reportedly in the works as Powerade and Petron continue to work on a deal that will send rookie Marcio Lassiter to the Blazers, even as Tigers coach Bo Perasol hopes nobody from among his big-hearted wards will be dealt.
The Boosters, a source told the Inquirer Tuesday, are now putting Rabeh Al-Hussaini on the trading block together with Rey Guevarra for Lassiter.
The new proposal comes after PBA commissioner Chito Salud shot down the initial trade proposal that could have sent Lassiter to Petron Blaze for Guevarra and Noynoy Baclao, a former No. 1 pick.
Salud had asked the ballclubs involved to revise the proposal and make it more balanced.
“If they get me to decide, I will not change anybody from my team,” said Perasol.
“We came from a winning conference and it would be best if we keep the pillars of the team intact,” said Perasol.
“But then again, it’s management decision to alter the lineup,” added the team captain of the UP Fighting Maroons in the 90s.
News about the Lassiter trade came right after news broke out that Coca-Cola has sold its PBA franchise to San Miguel Corp.
Coca-Cola denied the sale and clarified that the Powerade Tigers remain under its control.
Aside from Lassiter, selected fourth overall by the Tigers in the Draft, Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference Gary David and top rookie pick JV Casio form the lethal triumvirate of the Tigers.
Power forward Doug Kramer is having a breakout season and the tough-minded Sean Anthony had surprised just about everybody with the tenacity he showed against Talk ‘N Text in their losing stint in the Finals.
“We’re reaping the fruits of our sacrifices and it defies reason to replace these guys,” said Perasol, whose Tigers opened the Commissioner’s Cup with a 122-120 win over the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters.
Meanwhile, the Tigers will retire the No. 19 jersey of former MVP Kenneth Duremdes before their game against the Meralco Bolts on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-3 Duremdes spent two seasons with the Tigers (2007-2008) and is now part of the coaching staff.
Three PBA teams left last night for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to play a couple of games before Overseas Filipino Workers in the Gulf state.
The Elasto Painters tackle the Barako Bull Energy tomorrow before taking on the Barangay Ginebra Kings the following day at the Al Shabab Club.