GUARD WHO CAN SHOOT TOPS BOLTS’ WISH LIST FOR ASI
The trade that will center on the playing rights of Asi Taulava might start to roll in the next few days.
The bullstrong center has long aired his intention to return to Asia’s first play-for-pay league after a successful stint in the ASEAN Basketball League, where he emerged as the season MVP.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Air21 Express are just two of the teams reportedly eager to acquire the services of the ferocious big man, whose rights are still with the Meralco Bolts.
But more than aggressive is Ginebra, which is in dire need of a slotman who can patrol the post. The Kings recently acquired GlobalPort’s Japeth Aguilar, who is a natural small forward.
A source told pba.ph that Meralco wanted a point guard who has a feathery touch from afar, someone who can be added to the mix of backcourt mainstays Chris Ross and Paul Artadi.
The Bolts already have a prospect who is currently playing in the PBA D-League, but the team is still pinning its hopes that one of the teams interested in Taulava, including Ginebra, can supply them with the exact piece they need.
Another source revealed that as of the moment, Ginebra can only release one of its forwards owing to their long list of cagers playing the 3 and 4 posts.
Meralco governor Ramon Segismundo, however, stressed that no offer or feelers have so far been transmitted to them by Ginebra and the other interested parties.
“As far as I am concerned, I have not received any offer from the San Miguel group. The ball really is in their court,” said Segismundo, who emphasized their team’s approach on the negotiations.
“They have to come up with an offer, of course it should be a player of equal value,” added the next chairman of the PBA Board of Governors.
Asked what is their definition of “equal value’ in the Taulava negotiations, Segismundo gave a straightforward answer: “That’s for them to define. It has to be a fair share transaction.” (SBadua)
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