Salud vetoes Lassiter trade

MANILA, Philippines - PBA commissioner Chito Salud has vetoed the trade proposal that would have sent Powerade star rookie Marcio Lassiter to Petron Blaze in exchange for second-stringers Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.

Salud finally acted on the Powerade-Petron transaction after the two ball clubs reiterated d uring yesterday’s PBA board meeting that they had not consummated a franchise sale deal.

The league chieftain disapproved the proposed swap finding it lopsided to the detriment of the league’s competitive balance.

“Having established that no sale has been consummated, these teams can now make trades. (But) upon evaluation of the trade that is before my office, I am exercising my right as commissioner to veto the trade and return the trade to the parties concerned for possible revision to make it more balanced,” said Salud.

Lassiter, the season’s No. 4 pick, has turned out a solid all-around player who contended for the Best Player of the Conference award in the recent all-Filipino tourney where they finished second to the Talk n Text Tropang Texters.

Baclao and Guevarra, on the other hand, were top picks in 2010 who’ve yet to live up to their potentials while playing behind established stars at Petron.

“I’m standing by the trade because it’s the management’s decision. But with the commissioner’s decision, I’m happy for the players. This will have a good effect on them. We have the chance to continue what we’ve started,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.

Perasol, as informed by assistant coach Charles Tiu, said Lassiter was very happy upon hearing the news.

“He really wants to stay,” said Perasol.

Salud stressed, though, that the trade is not totally off since the two teams can revise the deal.

Acting Coca-Cola governor Ronnie Asuncion attended the board meeting and maintained that no sale had been consummated.

“The Powerade Tigers continue to be under the ownership, management and control of Coca-Cola Bottled Phl. There is no time limit set. Right now, I think the clear focus and the order of battle is to play as hard as we can and win this conference,” said Asuncion.

“We intend to stay in the PBA for as long as it takes to win a championship. I cannot be totally honest when I say that I’m biased because I think we will win this next conference. But please don’t misconstrue it as an eagerness to exit the league. It’s just an eagerness to win,” Asuncion added.

CCBI president and chief executive officer William Schultz earlier admitted they’re talking with San Miguel Corp. for the possible re-sale of the Coke franchise to the SMC Group.

Persistent reports said SMC has bought the Coke franchise for P100 million. The check has reportedly been deposited as early as January.

Meanwhile, the PBA board has approved Kirk Long’s appeal that he be allowed to play in the PBA D-League.

“Hanggang doon na lang yon. He’ll not be allowed to play in the PBA,” said PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial.