Still no deal between Bolts, rookie Fil-Am guard Weinstein

Ryan Gregorio first heard the name Shawn Weinstein when he was still handling the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados. “His name was brought up to me by our import, Tony Washam. He told me that he saw a good Fil-Am player playing in Israel," Gregorio recounted. Now the newly-appointed coach and head of basketball operations of the Meralco Bolts, Gregorio didn’t waste time in selecting Weinstein as the team’s first rookie choice (10th overall) in last Sunday's PBA Rookie Draft, hoping to make the Fil-Am cager one of the cornerstones of this young franchise. But there’s a hitch, Meralco and Weinstein, through the player’s agent, Caloy Allado, father of veteran slotman Don Allado of B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados, have yet to reach an agreement up to this time.

According to Meralco team manager Virgil Villavicencio, the team has offered the 5-foot-11 guard a two-year contract. But Weinstein’s camp is asking for a better offer. “We’ve offered him a two-year contract. I do believe it’s a fair deal, considering the fact that he was picked late in the Draft," Villavicencio told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview Sunday night. “We hope to sign him up on Monday." The Israel League veteran player is the only rookie drafted by the Bolts who was left unsigned. The Bolts were able to sign up their three other newcomers – Ford Arao, Bam Gamalinda and Khazim Mirza – to a one-year contract. But Gregorio is hoping they could reach an agreement with Weinstein the soonest possible time before the team goes to Singapore to play tune-up matches with the Singapore Slingers. “The sooner, the better," said Gregorio. “I am confident that we will come to terms with him. Virgil Villavicencio has done a tremendous job negotiating with the rookies and free agents. His task, really, is a bit complicated because of the transition from Sta. Lucia to Meralco." Weinstein, who was also one of the most impressive rookies in the recent Rookie Camp, was already given a tender offer by the Bolts. “That’s to make sure that we will get his rights. Now that we have his rights, all he has to do is sign the offer. In the event that the original plan doesn’t push through, contingency measures are being prepared," said Gregorio, who mentioned that several guys are vying for spots – Jason Misolas and Chris Pacana. Under PBA rules, teams are required to give an offer sheet to their rookie picks five days after being selected. In the event that the rookies were not given offers, they will automatically become free agents and other teams can pick them up directly. Aside from signing up their three rookies, the Bolts also have on their roster veteran center Marlou Aquino and promising frontliner Beau Belga, power forwards Gabby Espinas and Dennis Daa, small forwards Nelbert Omolon and Yousif Aljamal, shooting guards Mac Mac Cardona and Ogie Menor, and point guards Chris Ross and Pong Escobal. - GMANews.TV