Cardona traded to Meralco

MANILA, Philippines - Meralco, determined to make an impact right in its first PBA season, acquired a take-charge guy, Macmac Cardona, from Talk n Text in a trade deal sealed late Friday night.

The latest deal between the sister ball clubs was consummated with Air21 again serving as conduit.

Air21 first traded its No. 4 pick in the coming draft to Talk n Text for Cardona then the Lina Group team sent Cardona to Meralco for Josh Urbiztondo and the team’s No. 3 pick.

In the end, Meralco landed Cardona, Talk n Text settled for a draft right while Air21 acquired Urbiztondo plus a draft pick.

In a prelude to the Cardona trade, Meralco, Air21 and Talk n Text figured in an earlier swap involving big men Beau Belga, JR Quinahan and Ali Peek.

Belga went to Meralco, Quinahan rejoined Air21 and Peek found himself back with TnT.

“Our goal is to be competitive as early as Day 1. We are focused on a buildup that could stand the test of time, and Macmac will be an integral part of the whole process,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

“Macmac is a scorer who will help us on offense. He is a competitor who hates losing. I am excited to work with him,” he added.

Air21 had its benefits in agreeing to be the third party in the Meralco-TnT trade.

The Express can undertake revamp through the draft, now being the owner of the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 6 picks.

The potential top picks are Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao, Rey Guevarra, Elmer Espiritu, John Wilson and RJ Jazul.

Talk n Text sacrificed scoring in giving away Cardona.

The six-foot forward had been the team’s top gun in the last four seasons, leading the league in scoring with a 20.0-point clip in 2009 and his team with a 17.1-point average in the just-concluded campaign.

Through the 2009 season, Cardona had an impressive career average of 16.2 markers.