PAUL Desiderio and Abu Tratter are in it for the long haul for Blackwater as the rookies were locked up in separate deals on Thursday.
Team manager Joel Co confirmed that the Elite have agreed to terms with the two first-round draftees, giving the Dioceldo Sy-owned franchise a pair of building blocks for the future.
"We are excited kasi everybody's been signed up before the year ends," the soft-spoken executive said.
Desiderio signed a three-year maximum contract with his agent Mel Macasaquit after establishing himself as a cult hero in University of the Philippines' dream run to the UAAP Finals.
Tratter also signed a three-year max deal. The La Salle slotman was joined by the Titan Management Group in the contract signing.
Desiderio, picked fourth, and Tratter, seventh, were selected by NLEX in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft, but were immediately dealt to Blackwater in exchange for JP Erram.
The Office of the Commissioner revised the deal which paved the way for TNT to join in the transaction and acquire slotman Michael Miranda from NLEX.
Diego Dario also agreed to a one-year deal with Blackwater after being picked 24th overall in the third round.
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