TnT hopes to land Kia's 2nd overall pick in 3-team trade

MANILA, Philippines -- If plans don’t miscarry, at least five players will end up wearing new team jerseys as trade talks involving Talk ‘N Text, KIA and NLEX have reached the final stage of negotiations at the close of the 2015 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft Combine on Thursday at the Hoops Center.

A reliable source relayed to Philstar.com that Talk ‘N Text and KIA, two teams that own the top two picks in this year’s draft, along with NLEX have agreed to a pre-arranged deal.

“Ang plano nila (three teams), after the draft pa nila gagawin yung trade, pero payag na ibigay ng KIA ang no. 2 pick kapalit ng ilang mga players,” the source said.

Under the deal, the Tropang Texters, who are set to select Fil-Tongan big man Moala Tautuaa as this year’s top rookie pick, will acquire the Carnival’s no. 2 pick after draft day in exchange for Talk ‘N Text sophomore guard Kevin Alas.

Alas, last year’s no. 2 pick overall, will then be shipped by KIA to NLEX for sweet-shooting forward Aldrech Ramos, Eric Camson and the Road Warriors’ 10th overall pick in Sunday’s draft.

With Tautuaa expected to land at the Tropang Texters’ lap, the Carnival are set to make former National University slotman Troy Rosario the second overall pick in this year’s draft.

The same source said it is possible that Talk 'N Text might throw another player other than Alas in the draft mix if ever.

But once the deal is sealed, Talk ‘N Text will be flashing a newly-retooled and athletic front court led by Tautuaa and Rosario.

The wide-bodied Tautuaa is coming off an impressive PBA D-League Foundation Cup stint after averaging a league-best 20.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals en route to being named the tournament MVP.

Rosario, meantime, capped his collegiate career with a UAAP championship with the NU Bulldogs. He also played a key role in the Philippines’ gold-medal finish in the Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball last June.