IN pursuit of players to boost their backcourt, TNT Tropang Giga, according to sources, have started exploratory talks with the Converge FiberXers on a possible deal for Alec Stockton in exchange for the signing rights to Mikey Williams.
But Converge, sources revealed, is not keen on biting.
“Hindi papatulan ng Converge yan. Kasi alam nila value ni Stockton, hinabol nga nila sa renewal 'yan last March di ba?” said a source, pointing out that Stockton and Justin Arana were signed to max deals by Converge just last March as key building blocks to the franchise's future.
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While Converge is one of the teams with interest in Williams, the FiberXers are also deadbent on keeping a young, promising core of Stockton, Schonny Winston, Jordan Heading, Arana and incoming top overall pick Justine Baltazar.
The same source bared that Converge is also aware how desperate TNT was of getting rid of Williams, who has become a veritable problem child the last 20 months since his championship-laden best years with the Tropang Giga.
“Last drafting, pumayag na nga TNT na makipagpalitan sa third-round draft pick nila for Mikey, tapos ngayon Stockton na hinihingi, malabo 'yan,” said the source.
Such a deal loomed even dimmer after Stockton's audacious showing against Magnolia on Sunday night, when he hit a big trey and set up Arana for the game-winner to complete Converge's comeback from 20 points down.
READ Big Stockton plays complete Converge fightback vs Magnolia
At the most, Converge might be willing to trade away Ronan Santos, the 6-8 sweet-shooting big man out of Arellanowho incidentally is playing for Converge’s ally in the MPBL, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns.
Incidentally, Santos was picked by Converge in the last PBa draft with the same third-round pick which was supposedly being eyed by TNT.
Meanwhile, another source bared that negotiating with Williams may not pose much of a problem for Converge.
It will be recalled that the FiberXers initially had apprehensions on Williams, following the two-time PBA Finals MVP's failure to show up for Strong Group Athletics’ stint in the Dubai International Basketball Championship last February.
“Naunawaan na ng SGA (Converge’s allied sports group) na kaya hindi sumipot si Mikey sa kanila noon was because he was in deep negotiations for his contract renewal with TNT. Baka nga naman magkaroon ng conflict,” said another source.
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Another SPIN.ph source bared that Converge might be willing to bend backwards if and when negotiations with Williams start.
“Mikey just wants somebody to fly to him to the US and bring the contract. He wants it that way, as this will be a very convenient personal negotiation. TNT failed to give in to that request. It was not even a demand,” said the source.
Will this trade happen, we asked a Converge insider.
“It can, but not for Alec,” he said.
Meanwhile, TNT might just find the backcourt boost that it needs in latest recruit Jielo Razon.
The former Paranaque Patriots star, like TNT’s latest recruit Kim Aurin an alumnus of the University of Perpetual Help Altas, is not yet in the official line-up as the Tropang Giga are waiting for the expiration of other guards in the roster.
“Hinihintay lang namin mag-expire yung ibang players namin then we can already put him in the lineup. He was already signed. So, Jielo is just waiting for the green light,” said the TNT insider.
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