PBA DRAFT Corporate leap for Terrence? SMB letting go of 2 players, 2 first round picks to get TNT KaTropa
TNT KaTropa has finally found a taker for beleaguered point guard Terrence Romeo in corporate rival San Miguel Beer (SMB), which gave up two players to acquire the former Far Eastern University (FEU) star, a source said Monday.
The trade proposal, once approved, will have Romeo move to SMB and in return TNT will receive forward David Semerad and guard Brian Heruela plus first round picks in the next two years.
The deal has been forwarded to the PBA office for study and approval of a five-man trade committee headed by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.
The 26-year-old Romeo has been involved in several skirmishes in the past, including a brawl between Gilas Pilipinas and the Australian team last July during a 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
If the PBA approves the deal, San Miguel will be Romeo’s third team entering his sixth season as a pro. NorthPort (formerly GlobalPort) originally selected Romeo in the 2013 Rookie Draft with the fifth overall pick.
As for Semerad, he will be reunited with twin brother Anthony, a mainstay at KaTropa. The two played college ball for San Beda, helping the Red Lions to a couple of NCAA championships.
Heruela, on the other hand, first played for Blackwater before joining SMB is a trade three years ago. The Fil-Am guard played as backup point guard behind veterans Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross.
The looming trade overshadows the deal between NLEX and Blackwater, which agreed Sunday evening after the Draft on package with rookies Paul Desiderio and Abu Tratter – the fourth and seventh picks – going to the Elite and veteran center Poy Erram joining the Road Warriors.
Both Desiderio and Tratter attended NLEX’s practice yesterday though at the FLC Center in Xavierville, Quezon City.
San Miguel also has a separate deal with Blackwater for guard Paul Zamar, son of SMB assistant coach Boyzie Zamar, to join his farther with the Beermen.