KEVIN Alas is heading to the MVP camp afterall. But Talk 'N Text will most likely be left out of the loop.
This after officials of Rain or Shine and NLEX agreed in principle to tweak what was supposed to be a three-team trade involving Talk 'N Text and turn it into a two-way transaction.
Under the latest version of an oft-changed transaction, Rain or Shine will send Alas and Larry Rodriguez to NLEX in exchange for the Warriors' first- and second-round picks next season.
The deal is far different from the trade which Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao initially approved, which had Alas - the team's No. 2 pick overall in the last rookie draft - heading to Talk 'N Text for KG Canaleta, who in turn was supposed to be shipped to NLEX for its 2015 first-round pick.
[See Alas moving to Talk 'N Text, Canaleta to NLEX in three-team trade]
Rain or Shine owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que, however, demanded a revision of the deal, saying they do not want the E-Painters to look like a 'conduit' in a deal involving sister teams.
“Ayaw kasi nung mga may-ari na maging conduit kami ng sister teams. Hindi nila gusto,” said Rain or Shine governor Mamerto Mondragon.
“Gusto ng Rain or Shine, kung NLEX lang, NLEX lang walang Talk 'N Text. Kung Talk 'N Text ang kausap, Talk 'N Text lang, hindi pwedeng sumali ang NLEX,” he said.
“Kaso in this case… yung kailangan namin (future picks) nasa NLEX. Kaya dun lang kami nakipag-negotiate,” added the soft-spoken Asian Coatings franchise lawyer.
[See Kevin Alas deal hits a snag as Rain or Shine owners waver]
The deal, which was fast-tracked by the MVP group following reports that Barangay Ginebra is making a bid for Alas, now awaits the signature of Mondragon and NLEX team manager Ronald Dulatre.
It is not yet known if NLEX will be the final destination of Alas, who is being eyed by Talk 'N Text to reinforce its ageing backcourt led by Jimmy Alapag, Ryan Reyes and Jayson Castro.
A source told Spin.ph that if Talk N’ Text will insist on getting Alas, the MVP camp might revive shevled negotiations with Blackwater Elite which might involve the swap for Larry Fonacier and rookie Brian Heruela.
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