MANILA, Philippines – It turned out Blackwater is the final destination of Paul Desiderio and Abu Tratter.
Right at the floor during the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft proceedings, Blackwater and NLEX silently negotiated a deal that the two teams sealed Monday, agreeing to send Desiderio and Tratter to the Elite camp in exchange for Poy Erram.
NLEX coach Yeng Guiao told The STAR they initiated the deal to address their problem with length.
“We need a big man in addition to JR Quinahan and Mike Miranda. Because of our lack in ceiling, we can’t retire Asi Taulava,” said Guiao.
For their part, Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy said they have formed an interesting young, good unit in netting Desiderio and Tratter in addition to No. 2 draft pick Bobby Ray Parks.
“Since we’re talking, I was the one who made them (NLEX) choose Desiderio at No. 4. Kasi kung hindi nila kinuha si Desiderio at No. 4, he would be picked by Rain or Shine at No. 6,” Sy said.
As Meralco picked Trevis Jackson at No. 5 then ROS drafted Javee Mocon at No. 6, NLEX was still able to pick Tratter at No. 7.
“Actually, there were still many loose ends (in the trade talk) during the draft, but we still took a gamble in picking Desiderio and Tratter. For if the trade didn’t materialize, we would also be happy with Desiderio and Tratter,” said Guiao.
“Kiefer Ravena, Kevin Alas and Desiderio would have been a good combination. But in the end, we dealt with the urgency of our need for a big man,” Guiao also said in acquiring the services of the 6-foot-8 Erram, who has played under him in Gilas Pilipinas.
The Elite were happy with what they got, with the team owner firmly believing his team becoming an instant semifinal contender.
“We’ve made our team younger and hopefully more aggressive,” said Sy, who will now have a more solid core group in Parks, Desiderio, Tratter, Mac Belo, Allein Maliksi, Mike Digregorio, Raymar Jose, James Sena and John Pinto.
He felt they emerged the biggest winner in the draft where 41 of 47 hopefuls heard their names called.
Guiao thought Blackwater and NorthPort benefited the most. “Ang ganda rin nung Rob Bolick at Stanley Pringle na nabuo ng NorthPort,” he said.