NEARLY four hours of negotiations in Singapore saw Globalport seal two blockbuster trades that involve Japeth Aguilar, Solomon Mercado and handful of young cagers.
The first step saw Globalport agree to a one-on-one swap with Talk 'N Text for the wantaway Aguilar that saw Batang Pier center Rabeh Al-Hussaini reunite with his college coach Norman Black at the Texters camp.
A few hours later, Globalport sealed another trade that saw Batang Pier’s young wingmen Rey Guevarra, Vic Manuel and Josh Vanlandingham as well as a 2015 first-round pick moving to Meralco for Mercado, JP Belencion, and Kelly Nabong.
The trades have been approved by the Commissioner's Office.
A couple more transactions are still on the table in what initially started as a six-team, 12-player merry go round, but some parts of the negotiations are either on hold or have been abandoned.
The biggest loser, though, may be Barangay Ginebra, which may end up holding an empty bag after the trading frenzy.
Aguilar was supposed to end up at the Ginebra camp in the second half of the deals that would see the Kings part with Kerby Raymundo, but such moves are now in doubt.
Sources revealed that it was the Talk 'N Text camp which put its foot down and demanded that Aguilar be retained by Globalport, denying Ginebra a chance to land the 6-9 slotman.
Ginebra, sources added, already had an offer on the table for the enigmatic center.
Another planned Globalport trade for Jay Washington also appeared scuttled. A source told Spin.ph that Petron wants Vic Manuel to be part of any deal for Washington, but the hard-working rookie has already been dealt to the Bolts.
“Yung deal dun (sa Petron for Washington and Manuel) eh mukhang malabo na," said the source who refused to be named.
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