AND the trade moves continue for KIA.
The Picanto has struck a rather controversial deal with powerhouse San Miguel to trade away the top overall pick in this year’s PBA rookie draft in exchange for role players JayR Reyes, Keith Agovida, and rookie Rashawn McCarthy, SPIN.ph learned from multiple sources on Saturday.
Gilas stalwart and Fil-German Christian Standhardinger is the consensus top pick for this year’s draft set Oct. 29 at the Robinson’s Place in Ermita.
Trade papers had already been submitted to the Commissioner’s Office and remains unofficial pending the approval by commissioner Chito Narvasa.
Sources said trade terms had already been revised after the league vetoed an earlier proposal made by both teams.
Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy later confirmed the move, which according to him will further tarnish the image of the league if it will be approved.
“Commissioner Narvasa should do his role to balance the league,” he said in a text message. “It’s already obvious KIA can’t afford to manage a competitive team in the PBA.”
This is the second time in three years KIA is giving away its first round draft pick.
In 2015, it traded away the no. 2 overall pick to TnT Katropa for former Gilas member Aldrech Ramos and veteran KG Canaleta. The Katropa used the pick to tab Troy Rosario.
Ramos and Canaleta’s stint with KIA lasted for just a year as they were likewise shipped to other teams prior to this season.
Other players the four-year franchise has traded in the course of the season include Bradwyn Guinto, Paolo Taha, Karl Dehesa, Alex Mallari, and Mike Digregorio.
The contract of playing-coach Manny Pacquiao had also expired and the boxing great already decided to part ways with the team.
It’s lineup decimated following the series of trades, the Picanto limped home with a 6-27 (win-loss) record this season including an 0-11 slate in the Governors Cup that assured the franchise of getting this year's top pick.
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