Trade approved: SMB gets wish of securing Air21's top rookies

This time, San Miguel Beer made sure the top three rookies will fall on its lap. Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Atty. Chito Salud approved on Wednesday night the revised trade of the Beermen seeking to secure the services of Noy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra — the top three picks in this season’s Rookie Draft. The Beermen sent veteran player and former Rookie of the Year awardee Danny Seigle to the Express, and included in the package shooting guard Dondon Hontiveros, burly center Dorian Peña, and guard Paul Artadi. The revision made by the Beermen got the nod of Salud, who on Monday turned down San Miguel's initial offer. The only pioneering franchise left in the PBA planned to send Seigle, Joseph Yeo and Mick Pennisi for the young turks in the first trade deal, which was immediately shot down by Salud. “This revised trade is certainly a marked improvement from the first trade offer San Miguel made to Air21. I assessed the trade both on the market balance of the seven players involved. I’d like to believe that this trade isn’t one-sided anymore," Salud told GMA News in a telephone interview. On Tuesday, a sealed envelope with conformity from both squads reached the PBA Commissioner’s Office. Unfortunately, Salud wasn’t there to act on it as he needed to attend to his dad, former PBA commissioner Rodrigo Salud, who was in the hospital. The inclusion of the top three rookies was warmly welcomed by San Miguel Beer coach Ato Agustin, who wants to infuse young blood in his squad. The Beermen made it to the finals in the last two conferences, but failed to win a championship. “This is the right time to rebuild the San Miguel Beer team. So with this in mind, the trade with Air21 Express will be the important first step for us to ensure the continuing success of the San Miguel Beer franchise," said Agustin in a statement released to mediamen. “Although this trade will not be a quick fix for the team, we believe that Rabeh Al Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao and RJ Guevarra will slowly but surely be molded into the San Miguel system." “It is with a heavy heart for us to part ways with Danny Seigle, Dorian Pena, Dondon Hontiveros and Paul Artadi, who have contributed immensely to our previous championships. But this sacrifice will not only benefit San Miguel and Air21, but also the respective careers of all the players," Agustin concluded. Curiously, the Express, known for investing for their future, became willing to unload the young guns right on their rookie season. Bert Lina, the Express’ team owner, explained their sudden change of heart. “We are putting a premium on the championship experience that Seigle, Peña, Hontiveros and Artadi can give us. We think that having these gentlemen in our team, although at the expense of Al-Hussaini, Baclao and Guevara, is the right direction as we would want to blend experience with youth and this will hopefully provide us with immediate results," said Lina in a statement. “Seigle will give the team ample scoring options at the post, Peña will fill our need for a legitimate rebounder and defensive center. Hontiveros is still one of the top marksmen in the league today, while Artadi will provide hustle and steady ball handling. Their presence will also boost Air21’s stock in terms of fans, as they have each gained a huge following during their stay with the Beermen," the statement stressed. "In any trade, there is always a risk, but we see that this will be beneficial to both parties in the long run. We are looking forward to gaining the services of young players from the coming rookie draft by virtue of the two first round picks we got from Meralco and Talk N Text in previous trades. We do not expect for things to turn around overnight, but we are sure that these acquisitions will put the team forward." added Lina. - KY, GMA News