It was reported after the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft that NLEX planned to send No. 4 pick Paul Desiderio and No. 7 pick Abu Tratter to Blackwater, in exchange for Erram.
In a statement released after the draft, NLEX revealed that they had been discussing a trade with Blackwater since the Asian Games, and called Erram “a much-needed big man who impressed Coach Yeng (Guiao) during his stint with the national team.”
“Going into the draft, our goal was to select the best talent possible. At the same time, both teams reached an understanding this morning that a trade involving Poy for our first round draft picks would be a mutually beneficial move for the teams and the players themselves,” the team said.
Guiao addressed both Desiderio and Tratter regarding the trade possibility in a team dinner after the draft.
“If the trade does not happen, we would have two great players to join us,” Guiao said. “And if it does push through, then we will battle each other. But either way, we are happy for you because you are assured of having a team in the PBA.”
The trade proposal was submitted to the PBA Office on Monday morning, though commissioner Willie Marcial has said that it may take time for the Trade Committee to review all the papers.
NLEX stressed that their impending trade of Desiderio and Tratter “do not reflect on Paul and Abu’s talent or potential.”
“They have exciting careers ahead of them, and we wish them success with the Blackwater Elite. And if the trade is disapproved by the commissioner, we would be more than happy to have both Paul and Abu on our team,” they said.
