Weinstein agrees to 2-year deal with Bolts; Allado, Llamados on a deadlock

Shawn Weinstein, Meralco's top rookie pick this season, has finally agreed to sign a two-year pact with the Bolts, ending days of dilly-dallying in negotiations. Bolts team manager Virgil Villavicencio confirmed the news to GMANews.TV. "He signed around 4 p.m. Tuesday," said Villavicencio. "I believe the two-year contract is fair for both camps." According to Villavicencio, he set a time frame regarding the contract signing of the Filipino-American guard, who played in Israel against former B-Meg Derby Ace import Tony Washam. "I was in the practice at 8 a.m. and I told the player that I'm giving him until 10 a.m. whether to sign the offer or not. The coaching staff is waiting for his decision as the team is scheduled to play in Singapore for tune-up matches with the Singapore Slingers next week." "He told me, if it's OK for us to meet in the afternoon regarding the contract, then his agent, Caloy Allado, called me up and we met for the signing," he added. Allado is the father of B-Meg Derby Ace center/forward Don Allado, who, himself, has yet to agree on a new deal being offered by the Llamados. The Llamados had already come up with an offer, but the younger Allado, whose playing career is also being managed by his father, has refused to sign the contract up to this time. "We made a very nice offer, but if he doesn't want to sign, what can we do?," said B-Meg Derby Ace coach Jorge Gallent, who openly expressed intentions of getting the services of veteran slotman Mick Pennisi from San Miguel Beer via a three-way trade involving Allado and a conduit squad. The Llamados have a decimated frontline as main men Kerby Raymundo and Marc Pingris will miss most part of the PBA's 36th season due to injuries. Both players underwent operations in the United States. And with the younger Allado not yet coming to terms with the Llamados, the team might do desperate measures, including trading the veteran forward. But unlike Allado, Weinstein was given an ultimatum. The rookie agreed to sign a contract in the afternoon. Weinstein, a 5-foot-11 guard, was the last rookie to sign up with the Bolts. The other newcomers – Khazim Mirza, Ford Arao and Bam Gamalinda – have already signed one-year deals with the squad a few days ago. Weinstein will share minutes playing the point guard spot with Chris Ross and Pong Escobal. The Bolts are expected to have Mac Mac Cardona and Beau Belga, two players plucked via separate off-season trades, in the starting lineup together with Bitoy Omolon, Gabby Espinas and Ross. - JVP, GMANews.TV