Reports circulated on Thursday morning that Blackwater and Meralco have consummated a trade.
That deal would see the Elite ship Allein Maliksi and Raymar Jose plus a future second-round pick to the Bolts in exchange for veteran forward KG Cañaleta and Mike Tolomia.
However, multiple sources privy to the situation told Tiebreaker Times that the PBA has rejected the trade. The league ruled that the move is unbalanced and that the Elite would receive the short end of the stick.
The league wanted Meralco to add another pick, but the only one in their war chest is a second round pick for next year.
The 32-year-old Maliksi — who sustained an injury in their 2019 Governors’ Cup clash with Rain or Shine Wednesday evening — is averaging 9.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 19.8 minutes in seven games.
Meanwhile, Cañaleta only norms 6.25 points in four games. The 37-year-old forward missed the Bolts’ first two games thanks to a hamstring injury suffered prior to the conference.
On the other hand, Blackwater’s third pick in 2017 Jose has only played three games so far in the season-ending meet. Tolomia has hardly seen action for Meralco due to an injury.
Had the deal been greenlit, Blackwater would have its second player movement in less than a week.
Last Saturday, the Elite traded Fil-American sharpshooter Mike DiGregorio to TNT in exchange for Brian Heruela as the KaTropa have been eyeing the former for some time now, reports said.
Blackwater is currently struggling in the tilt after absorbing its fifth loss in seven games versus the Elasto Painters.
