Belasco to Ginebra deal in the works? Holper and Escalona to be traded in return

Welcoat dropping Belasco
By: Zean Macamay
People's Journal
September 14, 2007

Welcoat will most likely ship veteran Nic Belasco to somewhere else.

The Dragons are closing in on a deal that would send Belasco to Brgy Ginera in exchange for agile big man Mike Holper and a still undetermined player, an official involved in the trade said.

Welcoat, which posted only seven wins in 36 games last season, initially wanted the electrifying Ronald Tubid in the deal. The Gin Kings, however, turned it down flat, and instead offered rookie Macky Escalona.

The Dragons have had unsuccessful attempts to have Belasco sign up since being traded to them by the Alaska Aces for Jun-Jun Cabatu last month.

At first, the 10-year veteran Belasco made known his utmost desire to play for Welcoat, act as the team’s leader and form a formidable frontline duo alongside top draft pick Joe DeVance.

Lately, though, Belasco has reportedly demanded some ‘perks’ the Dragons refused to provide, among which is for Belasco to be treated in the U.S. if an injury creeps in.

“Welcoat wants Holper because of his size and because he can run,” said the official. “Ginebra, on the other hand, wants Belasco because of his experience.”

If the deal pushes through, the Gin Kings are well-armed to defend their title they won against sister-team San Miguel last season. Ginebra just acquired guard reliever Paul Artadi from Purefoods in a three-team deal that involved Air21.

With Belasco at Ginebra, its frontline could be one of the toughest to defend what with Eric Menk, Billy Mamaril and Raffi Reavies in the line-up.

For the Dragons, the addition of Holper would add speed, while the acquisition of Escalona, the 10th pick in the Draft, would inject depth in Welcoat’s backcourt.