Petron finally seals long-awaited Lassiter deal

MANILA, Philippines - Petron Blaze eventually acquired the services of Powerade star forward Marcio Lassiter plus back-up point guard Celino Cruz in dealing away 2010 Rookie of the Year awardee Rabeh Al-Hussaini and two reserve forwards.

The Boosters pursued the Lassiter trade with the Tigers, and finally got the nod of PBA commissioner Chito Salud by involving Al-Hussaini in the revised deal.

Petron Blaze also gave away three-year pro Rey Guevarra and veteran Lordy Tugade to get Lassiter and Cruz.

“The terms of the revised trade are hereby approved. There is acceptable parity in the cumulative skills, value, use and potential the players from each side of the trade will bring to their respective new teams,” said Salud.

In the original trade deal that was disapproved by the league commissioner, Petron was to acquire Lassiter for Noy Baclao and Guevarra.

Lassiter, a former Smart Gilas picked by Powerade at No. 4 overall in the most recent draft, has proved to be a gem, a big factor helping the Tigers make the Philippine Cup finals.

The versatile Fil-Am forward sizzled through in the Commissioner’s Cup, emerging as among the contenders for the Best Player of the Conference award.