Monday, March 10, 2008
NIC BELASCO MOVES TO COCA-COLA FOR ISIP, DRAFT PICKS: Tigers now have top 2 Philippine Cup rebounders
While awaiting for updates from Magnolia Beverage Masters camp, let's try to scout other PBA teams who are strengthening their lineup and import acquisition for the upcoming PBA Fiesta Cup battle. Below is one of the early trade that happened a few days ago. Coke surely beefs up its lineup with this move.
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Source: PBA.ph
Veteran Fil-Am forward Nic Belasco is changing address for the third time inside three years.
After short tenures with Alaska and Welcoat, Belasco found himself in a new home as he was dealt by the Dragons to the Coca-Cola Tigers in exchange for sophomore pro Mark Isip plus two future draftt picks.
In the deal being sealed at press time, Welcoat is also to get Coca-Cola’s future second round picks in yielding Belasco.
It’s the first trade deal consummated since the league opened the trade market at the end of the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup ruled by Sta. Lucia Realty.
Belasco provided the Dragons the leadership and big numbers while Isip played merely off-the-bench role for the Tigers in the recent all-Filipino tourney.
The deal may really look one-sided in favor of Coca-Cola on the surface but Welcoat management believes it would serve its purpose in the near future.
"We want to go young. We want to surround Ryan Reyes and Joe Devance with young players. What we’re looking at is that they mature at the same time," said Welcoat team owner Raymund Yu.
"Hindi na bata si Belasco. Two or three years baka retire na sya. Mark, on the other hand, is only 27. He’s 6-6 and we know him well since he played for us in the PBL," Yu added.
Yu is happy Belasco went to a team where he can win a championship as he’s about to end his career.
"Tingin ko mga one or two years pa bago kami maging contender. Ang Coca-Cola naman, baka isang Belasco na lang ang hinihintay niyan para mag champion," said Yu.
The Tigers have surely become a lot more formidable with Belasco joining the team which has already become an overnight contender on the entry of Asi Taulava at midstream in the recent Philippine Cup.
From ninth place at the end of the elimination round, the Tigers rallied to finish sixth in the tourney.
Taulava and Belasco emerged as the league’s top two rebounders in the Philippine Cup averaging 14.6 and 13.6 caroms a game, respectively. Belasco also averaged 15.5 points, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steal and 0.6 block a game for Welcoat last conference.
Welcoat was Belasco’s latest stop after his stints with Pop Cola, San Miguel Beer and Alaska in a pro career starting in 1997. Belasco is 34.
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