Back in the fold; Lina at it again

It's plays like this that makes
Pena invaluable for any team

After playing like the rebounding monster/ enforcer of old in the Barako Bull Energy's failed Commissioner's Cup bid, Dorian Pena finds himself back in the Petron Blaze Boosters' fold in exchange for young big Carlo Sharma and veteran PG Celino Cruz.

In the overly-physical Semifinals match-up against the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters, Pena was the big reason why the series went as long as it did. Yes, Danny Seigle (who we believe and would bet money is on his way back to a title contender sooner than later) did have a lot to do with their huge run, but it was Pena's presence in the paint that made it difficult for opponents to bury the rag-tag Energy squad.





For Petron

This will give the Boosters the rebounding muscle that they've sorely missed since, well, trading Pena. Rabeh Al Hussaini will never be that guy (he's more scorer than role player, thus the trade that sent him to Powerade), and Rob Reyes is still just another big athlete with so-so basketball skills (he's learning, but maybe he should consider watching tapes of Alaska big man Sonny Thoss).

Of course, the question now is if Coach Ato Agustin will allow Pena enough playing time in his newly-revamped line-up that puts more emphasis on guard play than guys with legit post up skills. Danny Ildefonso still has it, but you can't expect him to carry the burden night in and night out.

In the long run, the Boosters will win games behind a solid running attack but will need a back-to-the-basket big man to really contend. That, or Rob Reyes develops a jumper and a Hakeem Olajuwon-esque Dream Shake in the paint.

For Barako Bull

Imagine that. A trade that isn't as lopsided as their previous ones. With Sharma, the Energy get a legit big man who may not be half the rebounder as Pena is, but someone who definitely knows how to play the center spot. This way, Mick Pennisi could continue with his three point shooting thing, leaving only undersized Jondan Salvador as Sharma's chief rival for the spot.

And, as we've discovered in the last conference, Coach Junel Baculi would rather play small with Leo Najorda at the 4 rather than go with beefy Salvador.

The Celino Cruz acquisition is also a great pick-up, since it would allow Willie Miller to slide back to SG, and even have someone to spell Wyne Arboleda who, by all accounts, should go back to playing PG full time.

Question is, will we ever have a single conference that doesn't involve any Lina franchise trading one of their "stars" for "potential" and scraps?