Blockbuster deal sends Lee to Star for Yap

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine and Star yesterday agreed on what’s easily the biggest trade transaction in the PBA in years, dealing in a one-on-one swap their premier players and former UE stars James Yap and Paul Lee.

The trade papers have reached the PBA Commissioner’s Office, awaiting the approval of league top honcho Chito Narvasa at presstime.

The two teams made the major deal, a little over a month before the start of the 2016-17 PBA Season on Nov. 20.

It’s a blockbuster trade involving a two-time MVP winner in Yap and a former Rookie of the Year and recent PBA Finals MVP winner in Lee.

Both came in the league as No. 2 draft pick – Yap as second to Rich Alvarez in the 2004 draft and Lee next to Jvee Casio in 2010.

The 27-year-old Lee, however, is seven years younger than Yap.

But the Rain or Shine management believes Yap, a prolific scorer in most of his PBA playing years, still has  more to give.

“Puno pa ang tangke nyan (His gas tank is still full),” said Raymond Yu, the other half of the ROS top bosses with Terry Que.

“We’re happy with the trade. The opportunity was there and we just took it. He played with us in the PBL and hopefully he retires with us,” Yu also said.

Yap and Lee are still to work on their new pacts for the coming seasons. Before being traded, Lee was being offered a three-year maximum deal at ROS.

Rain or Shine actually made two separate trade deals yesterday.

Earlier, it dealt JR Quiñahan to GlobalPort in exchange for Jay Washington, also a former Rain or Shine player in the amateurs.

Rain or Shine severed ties with the Cebuano behemoth after their contract-extension negotiation bogged down. The ball club didn’t accede to the player’s demand for a two-year maximum deal.        

Still up in the air is the fate of Beau Belga – the other half of what’s called the “Extra Rice” duo (Belga and Quiñahan).

Belga has been offered a maximum contract but he’s yet to sign also at press time.