"As far as we’re concerned, trading among three teams involving two co-owned teams and one individual team is perfectly valid and legal under the PBA by-laws. But Ginebra sought advise on the most feasible way to do it. I’ll study the matter before giving the advise," said Eala.
"The good thing about the whole exercise was there was intention to be transparent about the deal," Eala added.
Ginebra, Purefoods and Sta. Lucia officials have closed a three-way trade Tuesday that would have sent Limpot to Purefoods and Seigle to Ginebra but shelved the deal later in the day in the interest of the league.
The Ginebra and Purefoods managements thought of resorting to the "waiver rule" to push through with their attempt to swap Limpot and Seigle, but the league commissioner said the process might not be needed at all.
"Wala naman kasing illegal. Lumabas lang sa ibang (newspaper) reports na parang direct trade (between Ginebra and Purefoods) ang nangyari," said Eala.
Had the "waiver rule" been applied on Limpot or Seigle, the other PBA ballclubs would have a crack at the two marquee players before they’re eventually traded by the sister teams.
Under this scheme, Red Bull, Alaska Milk, Shell, FedEx, Talk n Text and Sta. Lucia would have five days to make a deal with Ginebra or Purefoods. After the period has expired and no takers would emerge, the Kings and the Hotdogs are free to enter in a trade.
"Though the trade deal was technically correct, they decided to use other means in pushing through the Limpot-Seigle swap to stop detractors from imputing malicious thoughts on the deal," said The STAR source.
The original deal would have Limpot first traded to Sta. Lucia for the Realtors’ second round draft pick this year. Sta. Lucia would then deal Limpot to Purefoods for Seigle and Ronald Magtulis. To close the transaction, Sta. Lucia would send Seigle to Ginebra to regain the team’s second round draft pick this year plus the Kings’ first round pick in 2005. In fact, Purefoods team manager Rene Pardo and coach Ryan Gregorio had met Limpot Tuesday, discussing the role the 11-year PBA veteran would play with the Hotdogs.
Meanwhile, Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo denied they have put John Arigo on the trading block, saying they intend to give the Fil-Am guard a P12.6-million contract in three years.
In another development, Yancy de Ocampo was given a clean bill of health, paving the way for his transfer to Talk n Text from FedEx in exchange for the Phone Pals’ first round pick this year.