Veterans for young turks: Beermen, Express to swap players

San Miguel Beer's Danny Seigle, Mick Pennisi, Joseph Yeo and a 2011 first round pick for the Air21 Express' top three rookie picks — Noy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra? Odd it may seem, but a deal between the Beermen and the Express has already been worked out in principle. A highly-placed source who has knowledge of the transaction told GMA News that the two-team, seven-player deal is set to be approved soon by PBA commissioner Atty. Chito Salud. Whether it will be approved by Salud or not remains to be seen. The league commissioner has revised several trade deals, which is part of his mission of "avoiding lopsided trades." GMA News tried to call Salud for confirmation, but he couldn't be reached as of press time. The deal was made despite denials from Air21 team manager Allan Gregorio and Express coach Bong Ramos. “I don’t know anything about that, unless there’s something being worked out without our knowledge," said Gregorio in a telephone interview. Ramos said otherwise. "I know lumalapit talaga yung SMB, pero hindi ko gusto yung inaalok," added Ramos. Apart from this latest blockbuster trade deal, Ramos was happy to welcome comebacking Leo Avenido to the PBA. Avenido, one of the top performers in the ASEAN Basketball League, was taken in by the Express as their 13th member. “I think he deserves a spot in the PBA after his stellar performance in the ABL. I think he’s the best ASEAN player in the league," said Ramos of Avenido. A former PBA player, Avenido played for the Brunei Barracudas coached by Ramos. - KY, GMA News