Three-team deals send Alas, Ganuelas to TnT

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text continues to toughen up three weeks before the start of PBA Season 40, tapping former Gilas cadet players Kevin Alas and Matt Ganuelas in addition to Jay Washington in complex trade deals struck with NLEX, Globalport and Rain or Shine the last two days.

The Tropang Texters beefed up their lineup not just with Washington but also with Ganuelas in a trade transaction among TnT, NLEX and Globalport that’s already approved by PBA commissioner Chito Salud Monday night.

Being finalized at press time was another three-way swap that will send Alas to Tropa.

In exchange for Alas (the 2014 draft No. 2 pick), Rain or Shine will acquire NLEX’s first round pick next year while the Road Warriors will get KG Canaleta.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said they’re working on another trade deal to unload one more player.

“Teams are allowed 14 active players plus one reserve in the coming season. We still have 15 players in our fold but we’re thinking we might as well just have 14,” Guiao told The STAR.

In the revised TnT-NLEX-Globalport deal, rookie draftee Harold Arboleda was included, with the Perpetual Help player moving from Tropa to NLEX.

The Batang Pier parted ways with Washington and got Noy Baclao and Talk n Text’s 2017 first round pick in return.

The player-movement started with Globalport giving away Washington for Talk n Text’s Baclao, Arboleda and 2018 second round draft choice.

The Mikee Romero-owned franchise then shipped Arboleda plus two future second-round picks to NLEX for Ganuelas.

To end the deal, Globalport sent Ganuelas to Talk n Text for the Texters’ 2017 first pick.

In the end, the Texters lost Baclao, Arboleda plus two future draft rights but gained Washington and Ganuelas who are likely to instantly become integral part of coach Jong Uichico’s core rotation.

Washington has been with Uichico in the Gilas team from the recent FIBA Asia Cup while Ganuelas played under the new TnT coach in the last SEA Games in Myanmar.

Coming from the United States, Ganuelas was introduced to Philippine basketball in the 2012 Jones Cup where Uichico served as chief assistant to Chot Reyes.

The versatile Fil-Am guard, who played college ball with Cal Poly Pomona, was picked No. 4 overall by NLEX in the recent draft behind Stanley Pringle, Alas and Ronald Pascual.

He averaged 4.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.05 assists as a Cal Poly Pomona sophomore helping the Broncos to win the NCAA Division II crown in 2010.

His points average jumped to 5.7 in 2011 and to 7.8 in his fourth year in 2012.