THE TALK ‘N TEXT Tropang Texters swapped former Ateneo teammates while the La Salle reunion continues at Air21 after the PBA Commissioner’s Office approved of a three-team, multi-player trade in a manic Monday blockbuster.
First off, Talk ‘N Text traded former Ateneo stalwart Rabeh Al-Hussaini, a player they acquired in January of this year, to the Air21 Express for recuperating big man Rob Reyes and a second-round pick in the 2015 draft.
Then, Air21 sent Al-Hussaini and Nelbert Omolon to the Meralco Bolts for former top draft pick Noy Baclao and “Captain Hook” Mark Cardona.
Finally, the Express sent Baclao and his former teammate at Ateneo Eric Salamat, to Talk ‘N Text for off-rotation players Bam Gamalinda and Pamboy Raymundo.
When all was said and done, the Texters got their hands on Baclao, Salamat, Reyes and a second-round pick; Meralco nabbed Al-Hussaini and Omolon while Air21 got Raymundo, Gamalinda and Cardona – another La Salle stalwart who will be joining forces with former Archers head coach Franz Pumaren and teammates Joseph Yeo, Renren Ritualo, Carlo Sharma and Simon Atkins. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio