NLEX PULLS TRIGGER ON BELGA TRADE
NLEX is very close to landing Beau Belga after coming up with a mouthwatering offer to Rain or Shine.
According to a reliable Daily Tribune source, the Road Warriors are now finalizing a deal to acquire the veteran banger entering the 46th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The source said NLEX is offering either Raul Soyud or Michael Miranda for Belga on top of future draft picks to make the deal acceptable to PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and the five-man PBA trade committee.
If the trade pushes through, the Road Warriors would be able to address its dearth at the middle following the departure of Poy Erram to TNT Tropang Giga last year.
“What happened here is that the ball is now in the court of Rain or Shine because NLEX had already given its offer. It’s up to them whether they take it or leave it,” said the source, a veteran powerbroker in the league.
“Before, NLEX was willing to send JR (Quiñahan) back to Rain or Shine. But now, it changed its mind and is now choosing between Soyud and Miranda to go with some future picks.”
The deal makes a lot of sense.
Belga, who has yet to sign a fresh deal with the Elasto Painters, is already in the tailend of a very colorful career that saw him winning a pair of PBA titles in 2012 and 2016 with Yeng Guiao as mentor.
Before, NLEX was willing to send JR back to Rain or Shine. But now, it changed its mind and is now choosing between Soyud and Miranda to go with some future picks.
He averaged 10.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the Philippine Cup last year in which he helped the Elasto Painters wound up with a 6-5 win-loss record.
Meanwhile, Soyud and Miranda are two of the league’s most promising big men.
Soyud was a revelation last year when he averaged 10 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists inside the quarantine bubble to be nominated for the league’s Most Improved Player award.
Miranda was also impressive, posting averages of 6.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and an assist per outing.
“It’s a choice between Soyud and Miranda, but there’s a bigger chance that it would be Soyud,” the source added.
“He has the credentials that could help
Rain or Shine in its bid to win the title.”
The looming deal appears like the Road Warriors’ response to the recruiting coup pulled off by teams of San Miguel Corporation in which San Miguel Beer landed CJ Perez, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel acquired Christian Standhardinger and Magnolia reached a deal with Calvin Abueva.
The teams of industrialist Manny Pangilinan refused to be outdone as TNT Tropang Giga brought back coach Chot Reyes and Kelly Williams and parted ways with Ray Parks while Meralco secured the services of Mac Belo in exchange for Baser Amer.