Talks on-going for Vergel’s transfer to Red Bull Barako

The Yeng Guiao-Vergel Meneses partnership which has produced two titles for the now defunct Swift Mighty Meaty team in the early 90s may take a reprise at Red Bull Barako in the coming PBA season.

Negotiations are underway for the possible transfer of Meneses to Red Bull Barako in exchange for Homer Se.

There was even a report yesterday that the Meneses-Se trade has been completed, but Red Bull Barako team manager Tony Chua told The STAR they were still studying the proposal.

"We’re considering the offer but we have to study the impact it would make on our team. For one, you have to consider the salary cap and the balance of the team composition," said Chua.

The Red Bull Barako top official said they would decide on the matter probably after the PBA All-Star Week or a few days before they go to Xiamen, China for a team-building session then to Brunei for an invitational tournament there.

But chances are Red Bull would accept the deal to fill up the slot vacated by another veteran player Nelson Asaytono. The team will not give Asaytono automatic contract-extension upon the expiration of his existing pact on Dec. 31.

Se’s position, meanwhile, might go to Don Camaso who’s now in the free agent pool.

Chua said they’re keen on signing up Camaso who played for Red Bull during his PBL days.

"Ang magiging problema namin kay Camaso ay salary cap," said Chua on his possible deal with the gangling forward who used to receive a monthly pay of P500,000 from Alaska Milk and Talk n Text.

Davonn Harp, Mick Pennisi and Enrico Villanueva had been objects of trade overtures by other teams.

If the Meneses-Se trade deal pushes through, the flashy slasher called "Aerial Voyager" will be reunited with coach Guiao with whom he won championships with the Mighty Meaties in the 1992 Third Conference and 1993 Commissioner’s Cup.

Se, meanwhile, will be joining former MBA rivals John Ferriols, Wynne Arboleda, Jherome Ejercito, Omanzie Rodriguez, Marc Pingris, Ryan Bernardo and Egay Billones at FedEx, which used to own a franchise in the defunct league.

Meanwhile, Shell’s Tony dela Cruz was tapped to replace Coca-Cola’s Jeffrey Cariaso in the All-Star Game.

Cariaso gave up his slot as he couldn’t book a flight from the United States in time for the mid-year PBA spectacle.

Dela Cruz joins the North squad that includes Meneses, Romel Adducul, Rich Alvarez, Olsen Racela, Paul Artadi, Mark Caguioa, Davonn Harp, Ali Peek, Dennis Espino and Willie Miller.