Kerby to Ginebra?

A 10-time PBA All Star, Kerby went from being
"The Kid" at Red Bull to "The Man" at Purefoods/ BMeg

At 31 years old and coming off a season of knee injuries, Kerby Raymundo of the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados is reportedly on his way to joining sister team and the "other" crowd darlings, Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings for perhaps JC Intal and Rico Villanueva.

Rumors have it that the 10-time PBA All Star requested for a trade following an unsteady relationship with one of his teammates. Observers have pinned the blame on the Llamados' 2x Most Valuable Player James Yap, but we'll leave that as is because it's normal for star players to clash from time to time (specially when the other guy won his 1st Most Valuable Player plum *of two* over you because of showbiz-media votes).

Onto the impending trade then.

How big would Kerby be in the Gin Kings' scheme of things? Will we ever get to see the old "Kid" back with his best performance being in 2005-2006 and when he won several Purple Hearts from Pinoy fans during his National Team campaign? Or will he sit in favor of the shorter yet grittier Willie Wilson, or even the returning Rudy Hatfield? Can Kerby even steal minutes away from Eric "Major Pain" Menk (IF he comes back healthy next conference of course)?

Honestly, we're at a loss with the whole shake-up. Weren't the Gin Kings bent on developing their young guns? Was the move to reacquire Hatfield a sign that they're going to give it one last push behind their veteran core of Hatfield, Menk and guards Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa?

In limited minutes, and since they'll be playing with returning 7"0 import Chris Alexander at center, a power forward rotation of Menk-Hatfield-Kerby would just be downright nasty. Menk brings in the muscle. Hatfield comes in and brings the energy. Then Kerby comes in and does his finesse thing and drop buckets on fools.

Of course, everything will still fall on coach Siot Tangquincen's shoulders. If he'd even bother to use Kerby at the pivot (Siot and even coach Jong Uichico prefer a more perimeter-based attack).

Hopefully, Kerby finds a new home with the Gin Kings and plays like "The Kid" of years back. Dude's paid his dues in the league and is one of the better power forwards around.