Texters send strong signal

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text has boosted its rebuilding program yesterday by gaining the rights on No. 2 draft selection Troy Rosario through a three-way trade deal with Mahindra (formerly KIA) and NLEX.

The Tropang Texters dealt Kevin Alas and Rob Reyes to nail Rosario in addition to Fil-Tongan behemoth Moala Tautuaa whom the team selected No. 1 overall in the 2015 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft Saturday.

Tautuaa and Rosario, members of the Gilas training pool for the coming FIBA Asia Championship, are both expected to sign P8.55 million deal for the next three years.

In the end of the complex trade transaction, Mahindra acquired Reyes, KG Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos while NLEX got Alas, a former NLEX star in the PBA D-League drafted No. 2 overall in last year’s PBA Rookie Draft.

Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa also approved a trade between Barangay Ginebra and Barako Bull sending Nico Salva and Barako’s 2016 first round pick to the Gin Kings’ camp.

It’s a future pick that could be a shot to a blue-chip player like Bobby Ray Parks.

In return, the Energy Cola took in Josh Urbiztondo, Eman Monfort and Jens Knuttel.

Another trade transaction approved in the day was the transfer of San Miguel Beer reserve guard Jeric Fortuna to Barako Bull in exchange for Brian Heruela.

This deal paved the way for the reunion of collegiate teammates Junmar Fajardo and Heruela at the SMB camp.

Tautuaa is set for his initial meeting with the Talk n Text management today, starting talks that could well lead to the formalization of a three-year deal worth P8.55 million.

“We’ll be asking for his possible request and we’ll look at it. Offhand, we’ll give him what’s to be given,” said Talk n Text team manager Virgil Villavicencio.

As the No. 1 draft selection, the Fil-Tongan behemoth is expected to sign the maximum allowable contract in the league – a monthly basic pay of P150,000 in the first year, P225,000 in the second year and P337,500 in the third year.

Tautuaa and Villavicencio meet at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center inside the Ateneo campus where the former Chadron State U stalwart will be introduced to the Tropang Texters.

Larry Fonacier and Harvey Carey have just signed their new pacts with the former getting P9.6 million in three years and the latter P4.8 million in two years.

Kelly Williams has had a handshake deal with the team for a one-year contract extension worth P5.04 million.

“We offered him two years but he opted for one year. He’s being honest about his health,” said Vargas.

Still pending are the new contracts of Danny Seigle, Aaron Aban and new trade acquisition Denok Miranda.