Poy Erram trade a done deal

It’s been several days since the PBA draft last Sunday but as we went to press, nothing was final on the swap involving Blackwater center Poy Erram. A source said the trade proposal was sent to the PBA the day after the draft but the Technical Committee asked NLEX to upgrade its offer of rookie picks Paul Desiderio and Abu Tratter for Erram.

Yesterday, Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy confirmed it was a done deal but no details were disclosed. The scuttlebutt was NLEX would add a second round pick and Michael Miranda to the mix. Miranda, however, wouldn’t stay with Blackwater. He’ll be traded to TNT for a future second round choice. Until the PBA announces the deal, nothing is conclusive.

Sy also said he won’t trade Blackwater first round pick Bobby Ray Parks, at least, not yet. “I spoke with (San Miguel Corp. sports director) Al (Chua) and was assured Ray-Ray will be released by San Miguel Alab from the ABL to play with us starting the Philippine Cup next month,” he said. “Sobrang lakas na naman ng Alab. So Ray-Ray will be with us when the season begins. We’re excited about Ray-Ray and we’ll test his chemistry with our team. If things work out, we’ll definitely keep Ray-Ray.”

Sy said he’s working on a tie-up with the UP community to create a fan base. “I’m getting together with (UP supporter) Robina (Gokongwei-Pe) a few days before the opening of the new season,” he said. “I hope to establish a relationship with UP. We’ve got Paul and we drafted Diego Dario. We’re also planning to sign up Kobe Paras as a Blackwater endorser so the three players will be our UP connection.”

As for Erram, Sy said he offered the former Ateneo star a three-year contract renewal at the max salary two months ago but he wouldn’t sign. “I actually encouraged Poy to play for Gilas,” he said. “At first, he wanted to decline because of a back issue. But there were three weeks to go and I told him his back will be fine after a week of rehab. I think when Poy started to play for Gilas, coach Yeng (Guiao) realized his potential.”

The day before the draft, Guiao paid Sy a visit in his Antipolo home. They talked about Erram and a possible trade. It was perfect timing since Sy had agreed to release Paul Zamar to San Miguel Beer for a pair of future second round picks so there was a vacancy in his backcourt. San Miguel assistant coach Boycie Zamar had asked Sy if there was a way to bring his son to the Beermen so they could be together. Sy said he couldn’t refuse a father’s request in the same way he didn’t reject former Ginebra assistant coach Art de la Cruz’ appeal to bring his son Arthur to the Barangay. “I’m a father, too and I can imagine how it feels to be on the same team as your son,” he said.

From the draft, Blackwater chose Parks, Dario, Dan Alberto and Chris de la Peña and will end up with Desiderio and Tratter, too. To get Tratter ready for the season, Sy recruited PBA legend Romel Adducul as Blackwater’s big man coach.

Blackwater ended the season on a high note, finishing fifth in the Governors Cup eliminations before losing a close 103-99 decision to eventual champion Magnolia in the playoffs. Overall, the Elite posted a 13-21 record this season. The previous campaign, Blackwater went 13-23. Expected to return to the Blackwater fold next season are Mike DiGregorio, Mac Belo, Nards Pinto, Allein Maliksi and Rabeh Al Hussaini, among others. The holdovers will team up with at least four rookies Parks, Desiderio, Tratter and Dario.