PBA: NLEX loses Poy Erram to TNT, gains veterans, draft picks

By Waylon Galvez

The five-man PBA trade committee has given its stamp of approval to the three-team deal that shipped superstar center Poy Erram from NLEX to the TNT KaTropa, ending Friday an agonizing waiting game for all involved.

The trade saw several revisions but was only approved after a final piece – according to a source – was added to the mix with the 6-foot-7 Erram at the center of the deal.

The three-team team deal had Erram going to Blackwater first from NLEX in exchange for forward Anthony Semerad and center Rabeh Al Hussaini plus the team’s first round pick this year and a second round pick in 2021.

Erram then gets traded to the KaTropa and the Elite obtain point guard Ed Daquioag, forward Marion Magat and center Yousef Taha plus two future first round picks.

“The last revised proposal was two days ago, a day before the PBA’s Media Day,” said the source, adding the addition of Al-Hussaini was the only revision on the deal they submitted to the PBA Commissioner’s Office last Wednesday.

According to the same source, the trade committee – headed by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial – approved the deal last Thursday.

NLEX mentor Yeng Guiao, apparently, was not in favor of the trade since he’ll be losing his top center. However, he recently mentioned that “it’s not at my level” in reference to the trade between managements both under the umbrella of telecommunication mogul Manny V. Pangilinan.

The Manila Bulletin tried to contact Guiao but is not available for comment at presstime.

Erram, who was still with NLEX during the Media Day, rejoins a TNT squad that selected him 15th overall (second round) during the 2013 PBA Rookie Draft. The Elite obtained Erram’s services in 2014 when Blackwater joined the PBA via the Expansion Draft.

As a member of the Elite, Erram blossomed as one of the top defensive players, winning the PBA’s Press Corps’ Defensive Player of the Year award in 2018 and was selected to the Gilas Team several times.

Erram joined NLEX in 2018 as part of a deal with Blackwater.

He recently played for the national team against Indonesia in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.

Semerad, for his part, will be playing for his third team after stints with the NorthPort Batang Pier and the Elite, while Al-Hussaini is back to NLEX under coach Yeng Guiao.

Source: Manila Bulletin