MANILA, Philippines - PBA board chairman Rene Pardo yesterday welcomed Barako Bull’s offer to take a leave of absence in PBA second conference to give way to Smart Gilas, hoping the move will be “a win-win proposition for Barako Bull, the national training team and the league.”

“We’ll take a look at it and discuss the matter so we can come up with a good decision,” Pardo told The STAR.

“Personally, I see this development solving the problem of the Commissioner’s Office. With Barako sacrificing its slot for Smart Gilas, we keep a 10-team roster which fits the schedule. This also gives Barako time to rebuild its team for the third conference,” Pardo also said.

“I will elevate the Barako offer to the board for clearance and approval. I assured them (Barako management) we will settle the matter in a fair and reasonable manner,” said league commissioner Chito Salud.

The Barako Bull management confirmed The STAR’s exclusive report yesterday that they’re offering their slot in the second conference to Smart Gilas.

“We received a letter from the Commissioner’s Office about the Smart Gilas concern. I saw it as an opportunity to be of help to the national cause,” Barako Bull team owner George Chua told The STAR.

Chua said it is worth taking a sacrifice for national interest.

“In the first place, this is just for one conference. This sacrifice is worth nothing compared to achieving national pride with Smart Gilas hopefully qualifying in the 2012 London Olympics,” Chua added.

The amiable businessman-sportsman promised they would be back in the third conference.

“Since the PBA has a concern on its schedule, we’re taking the opportunity to help. We’re volunteering our franchise. It’s worth sacrificing for national interest,” said Barako Bull alternate governor Raffy Casyao.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine, Air21 and Meralco figured in a three-way trade involving six players and two draft rights.

Under the deal, Meralco will get Sol Mercado and Paolo Bugia, Air21 will acquire Jay-R Reyes while Ronjay Buenafe, Ronnie Matias, Beau Belga will go to Rain or Shine plus two future picks.

Rain or Shine initiated the trade after Mercado had said he wanted out of the team.

The deal, however, is subject to approval of the PBA commissioner.

On speculations regarding their exit in the near future, he said: “It’s hard to say. The reality is that teams come and go in the PBA.”

Meantime, he stressed he wants to support Smart Gilas.

“We want Smart Gilas have the opportunity to participate in the upcoming conference,” said Chua.

“It will surely provide renewed and more exciting interest from the viewing public through its competitive impact which is mutually beneficial to Smart Gilas and the PBA. It’s indeed a great sacrifice for us to come up with this offer,” Chua added.

Barako’s offer is likely to get the board’s approval. In such eventuality, Salud said it’s either Barako retains its players or be put in a dispersal draft.

“We’ll honor our obligations to our players. But we’ll wait on what the board decides,” said Casyao.

“I will evaluate things and make my recommendation to the board,” said Salud.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has formally requested the PBA that the national team be allowed to play as guest team in the second conference.

Smart Gilas hopes to use the PBA import-laden tourney as a training ground for its campaign in the Fiba Asia championship in Wuhan, China late this year.

Before Barako made its offer, Salud said SBP’s request might find rough sailing in the board because an 11-team roster will disrupt the league’s schedule for the entire season.

The SBP also welcomed the Barako offer.

“Now that there’s a team willing to sacrifice for the country, maybe the request can be accommodated,” said PBA board member and SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas.

Some quarters, however, are speculating Barako Bull is leaving the PBA for good.

The Energy Food and Drink franchise has been in the league since 2000, having its glorious moments with three championships over a span of five seasons starting in 2001.

Barako posted winnings marks (above .500) in all but four seasons of its participation in the league. It had its best mark of .698 in 2003.

Nelson Beltran, Philippine Star