THE GLOBALPORT Batang Pier acquired the PBA’s leading scorer and assist man last conference Sol Mercado and enigmatic yet hyper-athletic big man Japeth Aguilar in a pair of blockbuster trades yesterday.
The Batang Pier sent center Rabeh Al-Hussaini to the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in exchange for the disgruntled Aguilar, who sought a trade in lieu of what he deemed to be limited playing at the Texters’ camp.
After fortifying their frontcourt, the Batang Pier of Mikee Romero aimed to add even more star power to their guard rotation as they dealt promising wingman Rey Guevarra, former PBL MVP Vic Manuel, Josh Vanlandingham and their 2015 first round pick to Meralco in exchange for Mercado, JP Belencion, Yousif Aljamal and Kelly Nabong.
Mercado led the league in scoring and assists with norms of 19.1 and 6.7, respectively.
Mercado joins an already lethal backcourt that boasts of the high-scoring Gary David and former league MVP Willie Miller.
The trades were eventually approved by the Commissioner’s Office yesterday noon. “These new trades are healthy for the players and teams involved, not to mention the league,” said commissioner Chito Salud. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio