MANILA – Terrence Romeo and John Paul Erram are set to play for new teams in the upcoming 2019 PBA season after being traded in separate transactions consummated on Monday.
TNT KaTropa finally let go of Romeo after two conferences and dealt him to San Miguel Beermen in exchange for reserves Brian Heruela and David Semerad and Beermen’s 2020 first round selection.
The player-swap transaction happened after the KaTropa placed the temperamental Romeo on trading block on Sunday following his absence in TNT’s practice the past two weeks.
Erram, meanwhile, was also dealt away by the Blackwater Elite to NLEX Road Warriors on Monday in exchange for Andres Paul Desiderio and Abu Tratter, who were drafted by NLEX during Sunday’s PBA Rookie Draft.
Road Warriors head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao said while Desiderio and Tratter could be valuable additions to the team, he wanted to get Erram more since he can complement with the NLEX guards.
“You cannot go wrong with (Desiderio and Tratter),” said Guiao. “But we’re still looking for that big man that we feel is of vital importance for making a team a contender, which we see on Erram.”
Guiao added that the 6-foot-8 Erram will be a huge help for the Road Warriors and can also take over the spot of veteran Paul Asi Taulava, who is contemplating to retire before the start of the 2019 season.
Meanwhile, to give way to the arrival of Desiderio and Tratter, the Elite has also agreed to trade Ilonggo three-point sniper to Paul Zamar to San Miguel Beermen in exchange for two future second round pick.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said that his office have already received the three trade proposals and has referred it to the four-man panel, led by technical supervisor Eric Castro, for evaluation./PN
