Welcoat, Belasco meet today

By: Rey Joble
People's Journal
September 24, 2007

Will Nic Belasco end up as a Dragon or find himself being traded to another team?

Today, Welcoat management and the veteran 6-5 forward will finalize the deal at the office of co-team owner Raymond Yu.

“Nic has requested for a meeting and we have to keep an open mind about it,” Yu told People’s Tonight. “We have already tendered him an offer and it’s up to him now whether to sign the offer or we have to take the next step.”

Welcoat has offered Belasco a maximum salary of P8.4 million in two years.
Belasco has reportedly told Welcoat that he needs time to think about the offer.

The 33-year-old Belasco just arrived recently after spending extra days in the United States. He joined the trip of the Fiesta Conference titlist Alaska Aces, where he is formerly a part of the squad before he was traded to Welcoat for Jun-Jun Cabatu during the draft day.

Negotiations between Belasco and Welcoat were stalled for quite sometime now and the Dragons are keeping their options open.

Several teams have expressed interest in acquiring Belasco, but the Dragons are still studying the best thing to do at this stage.

There were reports that Barangay Ginebra has expressed interest in getting Belasco that will possibly reunite the seasoned player with his former coach, Jong Uichico.

The previous offer was that Belasco will be dealt to the Gin Kings in exchange for Mike Holper and rookie guard Macky Escalona.

But with Andy Seigle no longer part of the team and Raffi Reavis and Eric Menk still injured, the deal didn’t push thru.

Should Welcoat and Belasco fail to come to terms, the Dragons will definitely entertain trade offers from other teams.

“Yes, there were offers made by several teams, but we still have to wait for Nic’s decision,” said Yu.

The Dragons are expected to become a better team this season after picking up top overall draftee Joe Devance and beefing up its backcourt with the addition of Ryan Araña.

Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia Realtors’ key players Marlou Aquino, Dennis Espino, Kelly Williams, Nelbert Omolon, Denok Miranda rookie draftee Ryan Reyes were sent for training in Boston, Massachusetts, giving the team brighter hope for the coming PBA season.