New demands, leaks to the media holding up trade talks, say sources

TWO separate trade proposals remain on hold as the teams play hard ball in the negotiations.

No deal has so far been submitted to the PBA Commissioner’s Office on trades involving Meralco and Air21 in one transaction, and Air21, Ginebra, and Petron in another, but only because the teams want to get more for their respective pieces, sources said.

Another team, annoyed that details of the deals are being leaked to the media, is suddenly dragging its feet in the negotiations, another source said.

“Nagpapatigasan pa," said one source. "May iba na may hinihiling na panibago, may iba naman nagagalit kasi bakit daw nagle-leak sa media.”

Spin.ph has reported that the Meralco Bolts and Air21 Express are looking to strike a deal that will see Mark Cardona and Mike Cortez swap places. (For full story, see Source: Air21 also in talks with Meralco for possible Cardona-Cortez swap)

This trade, however, remains on hold as it still awaits the outcome of another Air21 deal with the Petron Blaze Boosters and Barangay Ginebra.

Air21 is reportedly eyeing hard-slashing scorer Joseph Yeo in exchange for role-playing big man Nelbert Omolon, which will be followed by the transfer of Ginebra veteran big man Kerby Raymundo to the Express’ side for young center James Sena and a 2014 first-round pick. (For full story, see Air21, Petron, Ginebra agree in principle on tweaked trade for Yeo, Raymundo)

Sources told Spin.ph that Air21 and Meralco will only consummate the trade deal after the Petron and Ginebra transactions are completed.

“Kadikit kasi yun eh. Dun ang take-off ng trade talaga,” said the source, who revealed that the playing rights of Asi Taulava, which is owned Meralco, has also been made part of the negotiations.

Sources say Raymundo is the centerpiece of the trade agreement.

“Kaso 'yung management dun sa kabila, parang pinapatagal pa,” said a source privy to the negotiations. “Pero hindi rin makakatiis 'yun. Sila naman ang may kailangan ng pick nung kabila.”

The trades all make sense for the teams involved.

Meralco is looking for a veteran guard and Cortez fits the bill, while Air21 sorely needs the scoring that Cardona and Yeo can provide.

On the other hand, an aging Ginebra lineup needs to inject young blood into its lineup through a 2014 first-round pick, which may turn out to be Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. or any of the marquee Gilas Pilipinas cadets.

Yeo has become dispensable for Petron which has a more pressing need for a hard-nosed defender and a dependable inside operator like Omolon.

Source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/new-demands-leaks-to-the-media-holding-up-trade-talks-say-sources