IT SEEMS NLEX coach Yeng Guiao has not given up on his hunt for another quality big man.
A usually reliable source told Malaya-Business Insight the Road Warriors are in the process of negotiating a deal with Phoenix Super LPG that would net Guiao slotman Justin Chua.
Chua has been on top of Guiao’s wishlist and NLEX even initiated talks that went nowhere before the start of the current season.
After finishing seventh in the season-opening Philippine Cup, according to the source, the Road Warriors immediately rekindled their talks with the Fuel Masters.
Guiao could not be contacted for comment yesterday, but another source said NLEX has another option if the trade for Chua pans out.
“NLEX and Phoenix have actually been in talks since the end of their campaign in the Philippine Cup,” said the initial source.
“So far, Phoenix has been hedging, clearly wanting more than what NLEX has been offering,” added the insider, claiming the Road Warriors’ package is led by the pair of Michael Miranda and Frank McAloney.
“We’ll see, because NLEX management has said their offer is good only until next week,” the source also said. “Kapag wala pa ring nangyari, then hindi na lang itutuloy.”
The second insider said Belga remains on NLEX’s crosshairs.
“Pupursigihin nila si Belga,” insisted the latter source.
Guiao has openly admitted he wants either Chua, Vic Manuel or Belga in his team as early as the start of the year. But the Fuel Masters nixed every offer for Chua and even got Manuel in a trade with Alaska.
A little later, talks between NLEX and Rain or Shine for Belga bogged down since the Elasto Painters reportedly wanted Road Warriors center Raul Soyud instead of the latter’s offer of Kris Porter and McAloney.
“Iba na circumstances noon at ngayon and Rain or Shine could be more amenable,” explained the source, averring Belga and RoS management have yet to come to new terms.
Belga’s last contract with the E-Painters expired last Oct. 30 and the burly center-forward reportedly has yet to affix his signature to a new deal being offered by management.
“May terms kasi doon sa (new) contract na ayaw ni Belga so malamang gusto ng (RoS) management makakuha ng kapalit sa halip na have him sit it out, at least for the next conference,” the source said.
If ever any trade pushes through, it would mark a hectic stretch in which numerous deals were sealed before the season-ending PBA Governors Cup’s kick-off, tentatively set Nov. 28, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Among those swaps is one where San Miguel Beer got Manuel via NorthPort for Arwind Santos last week and, just last Saturday, Alex Cabagnot being sent by the Beermen to Terrafirma for Simon Enciso.
