PBA Late Trade: Mercado to Bolts, Reyes to Express, Buenafe to ElastoPainters

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While San Miguel Beermen and Talk N Text Tropang Texters preparing for their awaited battle in the best of 7 finals of the PBA Philippine Cup, the other 8 teams who vowed out of contention has been very busy preparing for the import laden 2nd conference next month. Three teams made their move early as they are involved in what could be the biggest, blockbuster multi-player trade happened thursday night.

Rain or Shine, Meralco and Air21 participated in a three team multi-player trade which was finalized thursday night GMANews.TV confirmed. As agreed on the trade, ROS  sent Sol "Sol Train" Mercado to Meralco Bolts and Jay-R Reyes to Air21 Express, while acquiring hotshot Ronjay Buenafe and Ronnie Matias from Air21, and Beau Belga from the Bolts. Also included in the trade are the two future first-round draft picks of the Express for the 2011 and 2013 rookie draft. Other players involved in probably the biggest trade of the season are Paolo Bugia of Rain or Shine, Reed Juntilla of Meralco and Eric Rodriguez of Air21.

Rumors about Sol Mercado trade which the ROS fans feared came true, but not on the way everyone expected it to be. Rumors said that Sol will be traded to the Gin Kings in exchange to Willie Miller - the only part of the rumor that never came true. This move of Rain or Shine is also part of the major changes of the team that includes the hiring of the 5-time champion coach Yeng Guiao. Both Mercado and Guiao were not on good terms back when Guiao was still coaching for the Express.

The inclusion of Mercado to the Bolts, teaming up with Mac Cardona will surely help the campaign of the Bolts in the conferences to come. The trade could also help Air21 and ROS for their continuous seeking of their first ever PBA title.

Follow Sol Mercado on twitter @SM3rc3.

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