SMB wants youth served

MANILA, Philippines -  San Miguel Beer continues to push for a trade deal with Air21, hoping to finally get the approval of the PBA Commissioner’s Office with a revised trade package submitted to the league office yesterday.

 The Beermen want Air21 prized rookies Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra, who they hope will provide youth and spunk in their drive for the championship.

League commissioner Chito Salud, however, was on leave yesterday, thus, the revised trade between San Miguel and Air21 remains up for approval.

San Miguel’s original trade offer was a package including Danny Seigle, Mick Pennisi, Joseph Yeo and one draft pick.

SMB may have added another draft pick in the revised deal.

Salud nixed the original transaction, finding it lopsided in favor of San Miguel.

With the league commissioner looking at the trade revision only today at the earliest, Al-Hussaini, Baclao and Guevarra still play with Air21 as it tangles with B-MEG Derby Ace tonight at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Powerade and Talk n Text, teams featuring prolific imports, clash in the 7:30 p.m. main game.

The Express gun for a share of early Commissioner’s Cup elims lead with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Alaska Milk Aces, going for a follow-up on their 92-87 win over the Beermen Friday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

“Hopefully, we can follow up our big win. It’s a good start for us,” said Air21 coach Bong Ramos.

Derby Ace, however, is likely to put up a tough fight, having lost its first two games.

The other game could also be a battle with Powerade riding the momentum of a stirring win the last time and Talk n Text determined to bounce back from a losing debut versus Smart Gilas.

“It will be a running game. We have to do a better job in defending Talk n Text’s transition offense. We have learned our lessons well,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.

“It’s a tough game versus a team with a great import. We’ll see if we’ve improved from last game,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

The Tigers feature an energetic import in Russel Carter who averaged 35 points in his first two games in the local pro league.

Talk n Text’s Paul Harris didn’t do bad in his debut but the Tropang Texters just weren’t able to neutralize Smart Gilas’ 6-foot-10 naturalization candidate Marcus Douthit.

Douthit came through with 26 rebounds, 16 points, five blocks, five assists and two steals in leading Smart Gilas to a 103-98 win over Talk n Text.