Erram on way to TNT

Parks inks ONE-year extension with katropa

MANILA, Philippines — TNT is set to acquire NLEX center Poy Erram in a three-way trade that also involved Blackwater.

In a statement last night, the Road Warriors announced they were shipping Erram out in the proposed deal with TNT and Blackwater, which serves as conduit for the sister teams.

If approved by the Commissioner’s Office, Erram will reunite with the KaTropa, who had actually selected him in the 2013 rookie draft before being picked by Blackwater in 2014.

“A three-way trade proposal has been submitted to the PBA involving the TNT KaTropa, Blackwater Elite and Poy Erram of the NLEX Road Warriors,” NLEX said.

“Our organization recognizes Poy’s contributions towards our team’s growth in 2019...We thank him for his hard work, dedication to our organization and we wish him the best,” the team added.

The KaTropa will ship Marion Magat and a future draft pick to the Elite for a future draft selection, then the Elite will deal Anthony Semerad and two future picks to NLEX to acquire Erram. After this, Blackwater will send Erram to the KaTropa in exchange for Ed Daquioag plus a first round pick.

Meanwhile, sophomore Ray Parks Jr. is staying put with TNT KaTropa.

TNT team manager Gabby Cui reported yesterday that the 6-foot-4 Parks has agreed to a one-year contract extension with the KaTropa after his two-conference pact lapsed at the end of the PBA Governors’ Cup.

The KaTropa acquired Parks in a trade with Blackwater last November,  and drew 12.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game from the two-time UAAP MVP.

Parks, the Elite’s No. 2 pick overall, averaged 18.9 markers, 6.3 boards, 3.5 assists overall in his rookie stint for Blackwater and then TNT. He made his PBA debut in the Commissioner’s Cup after fulfilling his commitment with Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League.

The 27-year-old Parks rejoins TNT’s stellar guard roster composed of veteran Jayson Castro, Almond Vosotros, Samboy de Leon and trade acquisitions Simon Enciso and Ed Daquioag.

With TNT and Parks coming to terms, Cui said it’s time to “move on and concentrate on basketball.”

The impasse has led to Parks being unable to join Gilas Pilipinas practices that started last Feb. 6, and it’s not immediately known if the Fil-Am guard still has time to catch up with the buildup of the 24-man pool for this Sunday’s FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers game against Indonesia.