“I will consider and evaluate the trade at the appropriate time.”
That’s the text response of PBA Commissioner Chito Salud on the proposed swap that would send Powerade’s Marcio Lassiter to Petron Blaze for 2010 No. 1 draft pick Nonoy Baclao and forward Rey Guevarra.
Not to preempt Commissioner Chito but his words don’t sound too promising to me, as far as the deal getting approved in it original form is concerned.
It’s not even cryptic. Deciphered, it would read: Give me a proposal that doesn’t require too much consideration and evaluation.”
But who knows? Maybe someone will get lucky.
Salud is expected back today from a short vacation abroad, and he will plunge head-on into a much-agitated beehive’s nest during an emergency board meeting at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.
What set off alarm bells apparently are stories that the Coca-Cola franchise, carrying the brand name Powerade, is being resold to San Miguel Corporation, its former owner.
Representatives from both companies have denied that talks of an impending return of ownership is underfoot, but smoke has been billowing steadily from the rumor, fanned by, among others, the proposed acquisition of Lassiter, one half of Powerade’s dynamic duo, by Petron.
It’s not in my territory to touch on the merits of the case. But my little street sense tells me Commissioner Salud will demand a definitive answer from Powerade as to what benefit it sees to gain from dealing away the reason – other than Gary David – why the Tigers were able to make it all the way to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
Why let go of a high-caliber asset ?
If the answer is because the reported sale of Powerade is, in fact, affirmative, an appropriate time may not suffice for the extensive consideration and evaluation of the implications such a grim development would require.
But if it’s any other, then it’ll be a walk-in-the-park for Commissioner Salud.
It is already, as things stand.