i TV Pinoy

Source: Philippine Basketball Association

-- Talk n Text and Sta. Lucia Realty finally sealed their trade deal Wednesday that had the Smart-PLDT franchise acquiring not just Kelly Williams but also Ryan Reyes and Charles Waters.

In the first three-team trade submitted to the PBA Commissioner’s Office, TnT first acquired Ogie Menor from Barako Energy Coffee in exchange for the Tropang Texters’ second round pick in the 2010 Annual Draft. Talk n Text then immediately shipped Menor, along with Ali Peek, Nic Belasco, Pong Escobal, to Sta. Lucia. In return, the Realtors had to give up their marquee players, Williams and Reyes.

An hour later, another three-team deal involving the same teams reached the PBA Office. In the trade, Barako Energy Coffee gave up Yousif Aljamal to Sta. Lucia for the Realtors’ Charles Waters. But Waters was then dealt by the Coffee Masters to TnT in exchange for Mark Isip.

The Smart-PLDT ball club worked for these deals with the intention of getting Williams to play for the Smart Gilas RP team in future major international tourneys.

“Malabo na siguro sa Champions Cup dahil malapit na yon. Pero talagang gusto ni coach Rajko Toroman si Kelly, so hihingin ko sa PBA Board ang approval for Kelly to be loaned to the RP team,” said Smart-PLDT top official Ricky Vargas.

“I’ll have the Williams issue calendared for the next PBA Board meeting,” Vargas added.

Vargas, however, stressed Williams’ priority would be Talk n Text.

“Iba ang magiging case ni Williams kaysa kay Japeth Aguilar,” said Vargas, explaining Williams would be loaned to Smart Gilas on a short-term basis, unlike Aguilar who’s committed to play for the RP team at least until after the 2011 Fiba Asia Olympic qualifier.

Vargas said Toroman is also eying Jarred Dillinger for the RP team.

With the addition of Reyes, Vargas said they now have a surplus of talents at the backcourt – something which the TnT top official considered “a good problem.”

“Sabi ko nga kay coach Chot ‘you have a good problem, now the challenge begins,’” said Vargas.

“Obviously, I’m happy about our acquisitions but sad to see our guys leave as we’ve been playing great team ball and they’re integral to our chemistry,” said Reyes.

Sta. Lucia Governor and team manager Buddy Encarnado said they gave up their marquee players certainly with a heavy heart.

Encarnado was in tears after informing Williams and Reyes of the development minutes after the Sta. Lucia – Alaska game Wednesday night.

“It’s beyond me,” said Encarnado.