Powerade Tigers to Trade Marcio Lassiter for Petron Blaze Booster Baclao and Guevarra

With the rumors spreading of the selling Powerade Tigers, another news just pop up involving one of Powerade's "Big 3".

This really caught be by surprise. Powerade rookie Marcio Lassiter, a key contributor to the Tigers Cinderella run, is being eyed to be traded to Petron Blaze Booster for Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.

Lassiter who was pick fourth overall in this years rookie draft, was ranked third in the statistical point race in the Philippine Cup behind Petron's Arwind Santos and Tiger's teammate Gary David. Gary David, Marcio Lassiter and JVee Casio form Powerade Tiger's Big 3 which is responsible for their miraculous run to the Finals of the Philippine Cup.

Petrons Baclao and Guevarra who were drafted first and third overall in the 2010 draft have seen limited minutes in the Petron Blaze star studded lineup.

Although the deal still requires the approval of the PBA. League commissioner Chito Salud has the right to revise or veto deals that he deemed imbalanced.

Although for me this is a lopsided deal since Lassiter has proven to be a worthy player unlike Baclao and Guevarra who has yet to show their stuff, although the two as mentioned earlier as little minutes for their team.

What bothers me most is not who the Booster will trade for Lassiter, its why do the Powerade need to trade a vital piece in Lassiter to Petron? Is having a Big 3 not enough for them? Is the rumors of the sale of Powerade the reason behind this trade? Maybe the answer will come this week after the Salud decides on this trade.

SMB trade with Air 21 top rookies is finally granted by Salud

Finally SMB wish of acquiring Air 21 top 3 rookies was approved by the commissioner. SMB's revised offer now involved Danny Seigle, Dorian Peña, Paul Artadi and Dondon Hontiveros for Air 21's Noy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra.

Salud said "This revised trade is certainly a marked improvement from the first trade offer San Miguel made to Air 21. I assessed the trade both on the market balance of the seven players involved. I'd like to believe that this trade isn't one sided anymore"

I'm surprised that SMB included Dondon Hontiveros as part of the trade. SMB have plenty of players in Hontiveros position which they can offer like Tugade and Salvacion. But that just my opinion. With this trade its evident SMB is on the rebuilding process of getting younger. Which was evident when they battle TNT on the just finished All Filipino finals, SMB old age was exposed as TNT was just a tireless workhorse through every game, while the beermen was gasping for air come crunch time.

Trade Between Air 21 and SMB was turn down by Commissioner Salud

It would have been great if the trade wasn't turned down, well great for SMB. The trade involved Air 21's top three picks of Noy Baclao, RAbeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra, in exchange for SMB's Danny Seigle, Mick Pennisi and Joseph Yeo.

Salud made the swift and decisive move to turn down the offer of the beermen to acquire the services of the top three picks in exchange for the veterans. "The trade involving Air 21 rookie pick Baclao, Al-Hussaini and Guevarra for San Miguel's Seigle, Pennisi and Yeo has been turned down because I believe the trade is lopsided," Salud stated.

But the Beermen informed Salud that they will come up with a better offer to get the services of the three rookies. "Whatever they will offer, that will also be subject for study," added Salud.

I think the Commissioner made a good decision because lets face it, those top 3 picks against those SMB veterans? Seigle for me is already damage goods because of his repeated injuries, Pennisi is getting old and Yeo well his kinda lost in the SMB rotation.