TnT sends Dillinger to Bolts in 5-man deal

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text, with Barako Bull as conduit, shipped energetic Fil-Am guard/forward Jared Dillinger to sister team Meralco yesterday in a three-team trade deal that involved four other players. 

Barako Bull’s Allado landed at Meralco together with Dillinger while Sean Anthony went to Talk n Text, and Ronjay Buenafe and Gilbert Bulawan of Meralco went to Barako Bull.

Meanwhile, the SMC Group and Globalport are reportedly close to sealing their own trade deal that would send Japeth Aguilar to Barangay Ginebra and Jay Washington to the Batang Pier camp.

Ginebra’s Yousef Taha and Elmer Espiritu, and Globalport’s Jason Deutschman are other players who may be involved in the three-team swap.

Dillinger is easily the biggest catch in the latest PBA trade although his health status remains uncertain after he figured in a car mishap that caused him to miss Gilas Pilipinas’ Lithuanian training.

The 6-foot-4 shooter/slasher/defender, the No. 2 pick in the 2008 Rookie Draft, was part of the Gilas team that placed fourth in the 2012 FIBA Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan.

Through the 2011-12 season, Dillinger averaged 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds as a Texter.

The Bolts, still in pursuit of a breakthrough, also added height and heft in their lineup in acquiring Allado.

In return, Meralco, however, gave away younger legs in Buenafe and Bulawan.

Through eight conferences after taking over the Sta. Lucia Realty franchise, Meralco has yet to make a single Final Four appearance.

The Energy Cola also hope to turn their fortunes around with the trade deal.