Rosario to TNT, Alas to NLEX, Heruela to SMB headline slew of PBA trades

Jane Bracher

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Rosario to TNT, Alas to NLEX, Heruela to SMB headline slew of PBA trades
The second overall pick Troy Rosario finds his way to Talk 'N Text in 3-team trade

MANILA, Philippines – Following a no-trade 2015 PBA Rookie Draft, new league Commissioner Chito Narvasa approved a slew of trades on Tuesday, August 25 as teams work to move around pieces and build up for the upcoming PBA season in October.

Troy Rosario to Talk ‘N Text

The second overall pick of the 2015 Draft Troy Rosario found his way to Talk ‘N Text after a long anticipated 3-team trade was approved by the Commissioner’s Office Tuesday.

The versatile forward, who is part of the current Gilas Pilipinas pool for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, was traded by Mahindra, the team who selected him in the draft, to Talk ‘N Text in exchange for sophomore guard Kevin Alas and veteran forward Rob Reyes.

(READ AND VOTE: Build your Gilas Pilipinas dream team)

Alas was then dealt to Talk ‘N Text sister team NLEX as Mahindra acquired seasoned forward Niño Canaleta and Gilas pool member Aldrech Ramos.

Rosario, 23, is a highly touted rookie expected to make immediate impact in the PBA with his wealth of experience with the national team, having also competed in the 2015 Singapore Southeast Asian Games and the 2015 SEABA Championship before that.

(READ: Troy Rosario unfazed as youngest member of Gilas pool)

The National University standout and one-time UAAP champion will team up with first overall pick and fellow Gilas teammate Moala Tautuaa. Both of whom just returned from a 4-nation pocket tournament and training camp in Estonia with European basketball experience under their belts.

Rosario is also expected to shore up an aging Texters frontline and will join forces with similarly versatile big men in veterans Ranidel de Ocampo and Kelly Williams.

(READ: Rising Troy Rosario wants to model game after De Ocampo, Pingris)

Heruela, Fortuna switch places

Defending Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer made its first move to retain its hold of the trophy with the acquisition of up and coming second year point guard Brian Heruela from Barako Bull, Narvasa confirmed Tuesday.

The Beermen received the 2014 26th overall pick in exchange for a likewise stable playmaker in Jeric Fortuna, who was selected 14th overall in the 2013 Draft.

Heruela was previously traded from his first team Blackwater to Barako Bull in a one-on-one swap for another spry guard Carlo Lastimosa.

(READ: Rookie playmaker Heruela proving his worth with Blackwater)

The 5-foot-9 Heruela is a new piece head coach Leo Austria will work on as the Beermen eye a rare Grand Slam next season.

Barangay Ginebra softens guard rotation

The championship-starved Barangay Ginebra finally eased up on its guard rotation as it unloaded Emman Monfort, Josh Urbiztondo and Jens Knuttel over to Barako Bull in exchange for forward Nico Salva and a 2016 first round pick.

This is part of the Gin Kings’ rebuilding process under new coach and 18-time champion Tim Cone.

Cone obtained key rookies in this year’s draft with NCAA MVP Scottie Thompson and former UST stalwart Aljon Mariano.

Ginebra, which last won a title in 2008, remained a guard-heavy roster through the years despite the addition of Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar for a formidable frontline.

They are now left with veterans Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand, LA Tenorio, and Sol Mercado.

More trades are expected to happen in the coming days in the aftermath of a no-trade draft day, though Narvasa said there are no trades on the table for now. – Rappler.com

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