Beermen, Batang Pier seal deal

MANILA, Philippines — Titleholder San Miguel Beer and GlobalPort agreed yesterday on a trade deal involving Gabby Espinas, Kelly Nabong plus future draft picks in a transaction consummated ahead of the trade deadline in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup today.

Espinas rejoined the Batang Pier while Nabong moved over the SMB camp in a swap that also involved the second round draft rights of GlobalPort and San Miguel in 2020.

Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial slapped Arwind Santos, Anthony Semerad and Don Trollano fines of P20,000 each for their involvement in the fracas that marred the SMB-TNT KaTropa matchup on June 16.

Michael Miranda of NLEX drew a separate fine of P5,000 for a flagrant infraction committed in their game against Barangay Ginebra on June 9.

Also facing possible sanctions are GlobalPort import Malcolm White and Phoenix gunner Matthew Wright for their flagrant fouls in their game Wednesday.

GlobalPort fortified its lineup as it jockeys for position in the middle of the chart in its last two games in the elims where it tangles with Columbian Dyip Friday then with Barangay Ginebra on July 6.

On Tuesday, the Batang Pier reacquired Paolo Taha from Barangay Ginebra for Julian Sargent.

Espinas, the No. 5 pick in the 2006 draft, has essentially lost his spot in San Miguel’s core rotation on the entry of Christian Standhardinger. He’s returning to the GlobalPort team for which he played briefly in 2015.

The former NCAA Rookie MVP winner has also played with Air21, Barako Bull, Sta. Lucia, Meralco and Alaska.

Nabong, meanwhile, will now be with his third team after Meralco and GlobalPort.