MANILA, Philippines – Away in Estonia, Moala Tautuaa was welcomed to the Talk n Text team by coach Jong Uichico, assistant coach Josh Reyes and would-be teammate Matt Rosser when his name was hollered by PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa as the No. 1 pick by the Tropang Texters in the 2015 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft in Manila Sunday.
The TnT group and Alaska Milk coach Alex Compton followed the draft proceedings via the Internet a few hours before their departure for Manila after a stint in the Toyota Four Nations Cup in the Estonian capital city of Tallinn.
When Tautuaa was eventually called out as the top draft selection, Rosser and Reyes presented the Fil-Tongan player a Talk n Text shirt and were later joined by Uichico in a video shoot by sports5.ph’s Carlo Pamintuan.
Talk n Text accorded Tautuaa ceremonials that he missed out in the draft proceedings before a mammoth crowd at the Midtown Atrium of Robinson’s Place Manila.
Tautuaa, a practice player and reserved naturalized player for the Gilas team bound for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in China next month, also heard what his parents said during a TV interview in Manila.
Meanwhile, Uichico, in the video, hinted at the trade that would send No. 2 pick Troy Rosario from Mahindra to Talk n Text.
When Tautuaa was presented the TnT shirt, Uichico was heard saying: “You give that (shirt) also to Troy (Rosario).”
Rosario, a national hopeful, was with the group watching on a laptop computer the draft proceedings.
Back in Manila, a Talk n Text source said they’re only ironing out “minor details” in the Rosario trade. Reports said it would be a three-way trade deal involving NLEX which is to get Kevin Alas.