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PBA megatrade: How each team fared

For a couple of weeks, rumor had it that Ronald Tubid of Barako Bull would be joining Petron in a trade for Joseph Yeo and perhaps rookie Alex Mallari. Mallari even expressed his delight at the prospect of being sent elsewhere, since he had not gotten much playing time in his first conference in the pros. After (very) much wheeling and dealing behind the scenes, Yeo stays with Petron, but not only did Tubid in fact join Petron and Mallari move out, but eight other players were dealt, and three other teams joined Barako and Petron in what has been billed a “mega-trade.” The term refers more to the number of teams and players included, rather than the stature of such players, since most of the players involved, save perhaps for Tubid, were not main contributors for their respective former teams. Let’s glance at what transpired.

First, Petron acquired Tubid from Barako, and gave up Mallari and Jojo Duncil. Tubid injects into Petron a lot of something that it seemed to sorely lack in the Philippine Cup – energy. Certainly, his presence will be a boost (pun intended) for Petron on both ends of the floor as he scampers all over the hardcourt, diving for loose balls, harassing opposing perimeter players, completing spectacular plays, and probably earning a warning (or a technical!) here and there due to some fiery displays of emotion that are part and parcel of his on-court persona. Coach Olsen Racela wishes Tubid’s character rubs off on the rest of the squad, particularly his big men.

It gets more confusing from here.

Barako kept Duncil, but then shipped Mallari to San Mig Coffee, together with Leo Najorda and rookie Lester Alvarez. Aside from Duncil, Barako acquired Allein Maliksi from Ginebra, and JC Intal and Jonas Villanueva from San Mig Coffee. Things look exciting at the Barako camp. Duncil is a head-strong guard who can shoot. At the very least, he’ll be a tough back-up. Villanueva will fight for the starting point guard slot with his former teammate at San Mig, Josh Urbiztondo. They worked well at San Mig, so there’s no reason they shouldn’t again with Barako. Their styles are very different so for Coach Rajko Toroman, it depends what he needs at a given time.

The Intal and Maliksi (who was with Barako as a rookie last year, then traded mid-season to Ginebra) acquisitions are the ones that have Barako fans giddy. Both are talented, though on the finesse side, and provide athleticism and youth to a squad that has been christened “The Manong Brigade”, for reasons of, well, “maturity.” Plus, Intal is reunited with best buddy Doug Kramer, which should inspire him to bring Kramer-like work ethic every night.

San Mig got Mallari, Najorda and Alvarez. Alvarez will need to learn the intricacies of Coach Tim Cone’s system before he can be a relevant contributor, but he brings feistiness and long-range shooting. He will back up Mark Barroca, the “chosen one” at the point (San Mig let Urbiztondo, then now Villanueva, go.). Najorda is a shooter and will add consistent scoring off the bench. Plus, the lefty is a veteran and knows how to produce when needed.

The biggest story here, though, could be Mallari. He’s a tall guard who can hit from outside, slash to the basket, and is quick enough to stay with most opponents, whether guards or even forwards. Most will agree that he did not get a chance to showcase his wares with Petron. He will probably get his chance with San Mig, and how he handles the pressure to produce will be the key for him. He was, after all, the third pick overall in the last Rookie Draft. I’m putting my (little) money on his success with Coach Tim.

The last part of the transactions essentially has Ginebra and Alaska acquiring former FEU big men. Ginebra, after trading away Maliksi, acquired Mac Baracael from Alaska (via Barako Bull), while Alaska, which lost Baracael, obtained rookie Aldrech Ramos from San Mig (also via Barako Bull).

For Ginebra, this is surely a gain. Baracael, at this point in their careers, is more versatile than Maliksi, plays stronger inside, is more consistent from the outside, has shown he can tangle with the frontliners in the league, and is very confident. He can also shoot with either hand in the paint. Alaska letting Baracael go is perhaps the only part of all this swapping that puzzles me. He was a big part of their recent playoff run and their success against eventual Philippine Cup Champion Talk ‘N Text. This is definitely a “shaking my head” deal for me from an Alaska point of view.

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But, that could change if Ramos can showcase his UAAP form for the Aces, hitting jumpers regularly, rebounding the ball or at least battling for it, blocking some shots, and running the floor. Ramos did not play much at San Mig and, perhaps given the chance under Coach Luigi Trillo to spot up from the perimeter, which is how he likes to play, could eventually justify his first-round selection in the last Draft. Again, it’s about usage and opportunities.

Going to a new team means new chances for each of the players involved. It also means new teammates, new coaches, and new systems, as well as new fans, which could very well be the determining factors for success or failure. They all have mad basketball skills, but let’s wish all these gentlemen luck with their new squads. Surely, they’ll need it.

(Belated happy birthday to my frequent PBA TV panel partner, Dominic “El Dominador Conquistador” Uy.)

You can follow Charlie on Twitter @Charlie C.

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.