Manila, Philippines - LA Tenorio might be headed to B-Meg.
Three teams are working on a trade that, if consummated, Tenorio may end up running the "triangle" offense of the Llamados as he will be reunited with former coach Tim Cone at the start of the 38th PBA Season next month.
This scenario came up following reports yesterday that four teams are working on a trade where the 5-foot-8 Tenorio, who was recently named the MVP of the Jones Cup, and three other players will be wearing different uniforms.
Sources privy to the negotiations said that Alaska is trading Tenorio to the PBA's newest team, which is Global Port, for incoming sophomore point guard JV Casio.
While Casio, the No. 1 overall pick during last year's PBA Rookie Draft by Powerade, which Global purchased late last month for P100 million, will remain with Alaska, Tenorio will then be involved with another trade.
From Batang Pier, the same sources said that Tenorio, who keyed the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas title run in the just-concluded Jones Cup, will go to Barako Bull in exchange for former two-time MVP Willie Miller, who is said to be in the "wish list" of management.
After trading Tenorio to Barako Bull, the Energy will then ship the point guard for another playmaker in second-year pro Mark Barroca of the Llamados, giving B-Meg a player who fully understands how to run the "triangle" of Cone.
"That's the plan of the teams," said one source who asked not to be named as he is not in authority to discuss team dealings.
Tenorio, who was originally picked by San Miguel Beer fourth overall in 2006, won his first and so far only PBA championship with Cone when Alaska defeated Petron Blaze (formerly SMB) during the 2010 Fiesta Cup finals
The Bulletin tried to contact officials from Alaska but team manager Joaqui Trillo did not answer calls, as well as the Aces coach Luigi Trillo. Officials of San Miguel Corp., and Global Port were also not availbale for comment.
As for Casio, who played a key role in Powerade's memorable campaign in the previous all-Filipino conference where the Tigers reached the Finals only to lose to Talk 'N Text in the best-of-seven series, he said that his focus is with his current team.
"I really don't know what's happening. I don't want to comment," said Casio when contacted yesterday. "Right now I'm with Global Port, so my focus is on the team. I'll just play basketball, work hard and be in shape in time for the season."
As this developed, rookie Chris Tiu has formally signed a three-year deal with Rain or Shine.
In his Twitter account, Tiu posted: "It's official! I'm now an Elasto-painter!"
Tiu, who was selected No. 7 overall by the Painters in the previous Rookie Draft, signed the maximum allowable deal for a rookie, which is P9.54 million. Under the deal, he will be paid a salary of P150, 000 on the first year, P225, 000 on the second year, and P420,000 on the final year.
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