Trade reaction: Espinas for Baclao, 2017 pick

"Iwan mo ko, bro?"
(Photo courtesy of Spin.ph)

News have it that the Alaska Aces have decided to send gung-ho power forward Gabby Espinas to GlobalPort Batang Pier for Nonoy Baclao and a future draft pick. This comes as a bit of a surprise since prior to his injury, Espinas has enjoyed a "revival" of sorts with the Aces as its resident enforcer and bossom buddy to star Calvin Abueva. On the flip side, Baclao continues to milk every ounce of a professional career from being part of a UAAP Dynasty (much like his brethren JC Intal of Barako Bull).

Though it's an unfair comparison since Espinas was sidelined, here are both men's numbers: GE 8 season games played so far averaged 12.6 minutes, 8.3 points, 5 rebounds on 54.1% shooting. NB averaged 13 minutes, 3.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and shot 40.3%.

One guy is injured/ coming off an injury while the other is basically just a token warm body who somehow finds a way to get his minutes. Almost like it's mandated in his bloody contract that he needs to play 10 minutes a game at the very least no matter how little he does on the floor for the team.

So why did the Aces do it?

This one's a no brainer for Global Port since, if healthy, Espinas could readily improve their frontline with his inside defensive toughness and athleticism which is an upgrade from Baclao (who was supposed to play that same way, based on his college performance) while being a nice partner and mentor for Jewel Ponferada in the near future. This, plus the fact that it reunites Espinas with his old Harbour Center boss Mikee Romero.

Think about it, Romero is building a team that is textbook "Batang Pier" with Denok Miranda, star Terrence Romeo, Espinas and Ponferada. How long Romero and the whole team can hold on to 2014 PBA Draft Pick Stanley Pringle will be one of the biggest storylines however, if they are to truly challenge the elite teams.

Still, a guy who's been more hype his whole PBA career for a guy who was able to find his true calling as a role playing, hard working veteran with a chip on shoulder?

We'd make that trade in a heart beat.

So again, WHY did the Aces do it?

Here are some theories or ideas we'd like to just throw out there:

1. Espinas' injury. We hope they didn't trade him because of this, because they saw something somewhere. Plus, at 33, the wheels are going to fall off soon.

2. "Put every one on notice." Yeng Guiao talks about it every now and then whenever his Rain or Shine boys are going through the motions. What if the Aces' management opted to send a clear, hard message to the roster which is struggling thus far?

3. Back to PG 13 Alaska. First went Luigi Trillo. Then came Abueva's toning down of his beastly ways. Maybe, just maybe, the Aces are tired of the whole new "Attitude Era" that Trillo introduced and is slowly going back to their "safe, PG 13" ways.

But our biggest concern is, how will this affect Abueva? We all know the two are basically homeboys at this point (they even play/guest in out-of-town Ligang Labas together), so how will Abueva respond to this?

More importantly, has Abueva renewed his contract with the Aces? Because if he hasn't, and management just opted to send his guy away (think Cyrus Baguio and Nino Gelig), well shit, we wouldn't be surprised if he bolted the team by next season.

Alaska got Baclao. Silver lining? More minutes for Abueva at the 4. Or Thoss in the import-laden conferences. Hell, maybe Samigue Eman is ready to take over.

OR

The team's ready to go on fire sale as rumors have it.