UNLESS negotiations bog down at the last minute, the Meralco Bolts and the Air 21 Express are expected to bolster their respective rosters by way of a trade in time for the PBA Commissioner's Cup playoffs.
A source told Spin.ph that Air21 is set to bolster its frontline with the acquisition of journeyman center Rabeh Al-Hussaini from Meralco in exchange for rookie forward Eric Camson.
The trade is expected to beat the league's 12 noon trade deadline on Monday.
Meralco, needing to shore up its backcourt with the continued absence of the injured Mike Cortez, initially set its sights on Air21 rookie and former Talk 'N Text draftee Eliud Poligrates, a source said.
But after the initial negotiations, Meralco, the source added, eventually settled for Camson, the former Adamson Falcon who had 12 points, seven rebounds and a block against the San Miguel Beermen last Wednesday.
Interestingly, Cebuano guard Poligrates also had an impact game last Monday, tallying 13 points, five rebounds and two assists in an 82-87 loss to Rain or Shine.
"Alin dun sa dalawa ang gusto. Pero malamang Camson 'yan," said the source.
The ball is now in the court of Meralco, who is willing to return Al-Hussaini to the team that made him the second pick overall in the 2010 rookie draft.
The 6-7 Fil-Kuwaiti has been struggling to find his spot in the Bolts' rotation after the arrival of two-time MVP Danny Ildefonso last conference.
Al-Hussaini is averaging just seven minutes per game in the import-spiced conference.
Another source bared that if the trade fails to push through in time for Air21 and Meralco's stint in the quarterfinals, it will likely be consummated before the season-ending Governors' Cup.
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