Revised SMB-Air21 PBA Trade Approved!

MANILA, Philippines – The San Miguel Beer and Air21 PBA trade drama is now over!

After being turned down the first time around, San Miguel submitted a revised trade offer that retained Danny Seigle in the list. Mick Pennisi and Joseph Yeo were taken out but new marquee PBA veterans were added to sweeten the offer.

The new player names added were that of "the Cebuano Hotshot" Dondon Hontiveros, "the Junkyard Dawg" Dorian Pena and Paul "Kid Lightning" Artadi.

Hontiveros rose to fame when he first played in the Metropolitan Basketball League (MBA) for the Cebu Gems. He entered the PBA in 2001, playing for the Tanduay Rhum Masters before being traded to San Miguel in 2003.

Dorian Pena likewise started out his career in the defunct MBA before hooking up quietly with the SMB franchise.

Paul Artadi finds himself on his fourth team after invading the league in 2004.

He initially played for Purefoods (B-Meg), moved to the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in 2007 and lastly with the San Miguel Beermen when he was traded by B-Meg for SMB point guard Jonas Villanueva.

PBA Commissioner Atty. Chito Salud has approved the 7-man trade meaning the players concerned will now be donning new colors for their respective team’s next outing.

Salud labeled the trade as a marked improvement and not a one-sided deal.

"I believe that this is a fair trade between the two teams (San Miguel and Air21)", Atty. Salud said.

The revised trade was sent to the PBA Commissioner's office as early as yesterday in a sealed envelope. Unfortunately, Atty. Salud was on leave to attend to personal matters.

The announcement was officially made right after the first game pitting Air21 against B-Meg Derby Ace.

Al-Hussaini, Baclao and Guevarra are expected to suit up in the Beermen's next game this Friday against the Meralco Bolts at the Araneta Coliseum.

Seigle, Hontiveros, Pena and Artadi are expected to play their first game this coming Saturday when the Air21 Express play the Talk 'N Text team in Davao City.

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NOTES: The Manila Bulletin Online Staff would like to thank Danny Seigle for personally thanking the online department on the article published yesterday here.

Danny Seigle went out of his way to personally thank yours truly and narrated how he appreciated the article titled “Seigle and Samboy: A Tale of Two PBA Stars”. He had no idea at that time on the status of the said trade.

Regardless, on behalf of the MB online staff, we wish you good luck Danny. Again, thank you for acknowledging the featured article yesterday!

Source: Manila Bulletin Online