Kia mulling options on trading 2015 pick, wants big man

Game Sunday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

7 p.m. – San Miguel vs Alaska

MANILA, Philippines – Kia Motors team manager Eric Pineda said they’re studying their options on their first round pick for the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft as they have received “feelers” from another team expressing intention to acquire their draft right through a trade deal.

An internet report said Talk n Text is willing to give away Jayson Castro for that Kia draft pick which could give the Tropang Texters a shot at players like Bobby Ray Parks, Kiefer Ravena or Moala Tautuaa.

“We’ve got feelers at pinagiisipan namin (We’ve got feelers and we’re thinking about it),” Pineda told The STAR.

“Sa amin, kung makakatulong why not. Pero mas maganda sana kung samahan nila ng big man (For us, if the deal would help us, why not. It would be more viable if they add a big man on what they offer),” Pineda also said.

Pineda said they would assess everything as they’re determined to improve on their 11th place finish in the Philippine Cup in the coming Commissioner’s Cup where they will be reinforced by 7-foot-3 Puerto Rican behemoth Peter John Ramos.

“All I can say is he’s ‘mamang-mama.’ Panoorin na lang nila,” said Pineda of Ramos who has arrived and now practicing with the team.

Ramos, 29, was a member of the Puerto Rico national squad that pulled the rug from under the US team bannered by NBA players, 92-73, in the preliminary round of the 2004 Athens Olympics. He played for the Washington Wizards in the NBA.

After playing over 20 players in the Philippine Cup, Pineda said they now have a core group, including free agent acquisition Mark Yee.

Boxing icon and Kia playing coach Manny Pacquiao intends to be more active on the bench and on the playing court in the coming PBA mid-season tourney.

“Magbabago lang yon (that will change only) if the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is set,” said Pineda.