Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that forward Mac Belo is headed to the Meralco Bolts in exchange for guard Baser Amer.
The trade proposal is headed to the PBA Commissioner's office, where it will be deliberated on by a five-person trade committee. The development was first reported by Spin.ph.
Belo was the pick of the Blackwater Elite in the 2016 Gilas special draft, after a stellar campaign in the UAAP for the FEU Tamaraws. He was named UAAP Season 78 Finals MVP in 2015. His career has been slowed down by an assortment of injuries.
Amer was drafted by the Bolts with the seventh overall pick in 2015 coming off a successful career in college, where he led San Beda to four consecutive NCAA seniors' titles.
The 6'0 guard was named Finals MVP for the Red Lions in 2012, and is a three-time all-star in the PBA. He was also adjudged Finals MVP in the Mindanao leg of the 2018 All-Star Games. Belo is also a three-time All-Star.
Amer averaged 9.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists for the Bolts in the eliminations of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup while Belo normed 11.4 markers, 5.3 boards, and 1.0 dimes.
Sy believes playmaker Amer is a vital piece for the Bossing, who head into their sixth year in the pro league is still in search for a breakout season.
"Amer is a team leader who we need," Sy told ESPN5, commenting on the deal that is now under the review of the PBA trade committee. "Dream come true because he's so merciless when we played against Meralco."
Sy noted that the former San Beda "King Lion" always played big whenever Blackwater faced Meralco in previous seasons.
"He's always the reason why we lose to Meralco. He's been the killer every time we played them (in the past)," he stressed.
Sy though has nothing but kind words for Belo, saying the former FEU star "will surely be missed."
If healthy, the 6-foot-4 Belo can be a force to be reckoned with because of his ability to score inside and outside, while also playing solid defense.
Amer, meantime, will be bringing in his vast PBA experience and solid three-point shooting.
At the moment, it is still uncertain what Blackwater will do given the slew of guards it currently has in the roster that includes Roi Sumang, Ed Daquioag, Ron Dennison, Mike Tolomia, Paul Desiderio and Diego Dario.