Trade reaction: Ginebra's Ababou, Forrester for Barako's 1st round pick

Kampihan na talaga.
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Well, so much for newly-installed head coach Frankie Lim's Ginebra youth movement.

In a trade that comes as manna from heaven in the middle of some Arabian dessert for those involved and their supporters, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has sent the little-used pair of Dylan Ababou and James Forrester to Barako Bull Energy Cola for the team's 2015 PBA 1st round draft pick (which is projected to be somewhere from the 4th to 5th).

For Ginebra, this spares the new coach from the burden of being asked by the thousands of kabarangays in having to play the two when they still have some more established, somewhat "immovable" veterans on the roster. Now, the team's rotation of shooting guards and wings involve "only" Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand, Joseph Yeo, Josh Urbiztondo, Mac Baracael and Chris Ellis. And based from what we saw in the Rain or Shine quarterfinals game, it seems that management is still convinced that Caguioa, Helterbrand and Urbiztondo have a lot left in the tank and deserve to play together some more (ugh).

This, plus the fact that they could possibly get a top-tier rookie in the 2015 PBA Draft-- anyone from U.E.'s Roi Sumang, DLSU's Norbert Torres, San Beda's Garvo Lanete and maybe some hipster pick in one of those ASEAN Basketball League Fil-Ams not named Moala Tautuaa.

On the other side, Barako just won a trade. They weren't blindsided or cheated, and as much as you'd want to argue that they could've gotten college stars in Roi Sumang or Garvo Lanete, don't forget that they have youngsters RR Garcia (UAAP MVP) and Carlo Lastimosa in the fold.

Forrester is reunited with the man who made him somewhat of a college star, Barako Bull head coach Koy Banal so expect him to get his confidence back and enjoy some minutes at the SG spot (even as a possible starter should his defense hold). He was quite inconsistent (due to injury anyway) in college, but if the guy's good enough to be offered a full scholarship to play for Ateneo (which he turned down for God knows what and why) before opting to play for Arellano so you know he's good.

But perhaps the biggest gem here is the Energy Cola's acquisition of one Dylan Ababou.

When healthy, even in the PBA, Ababou could play with the best of them as a high IQ small forward who can do it all- score, slash, post up (a bit), play defense and rebound. He has the size, and what he lacks in speed he makes up for with just efficient maneuvering on the court.

He's basically a smarter, more disciplined/ mature Mac Baracael.

When healthy.

Now? Well, he gets to shake the rust off while playing behind former UAAP rival JC Intal who has been solid for Coach Koy this season. It remains to be seen how healthy Ababou is today, so there's that risk, but a player of his IQ and talent will be of big help to any team specially one that doesn't have any wings other than Intal to begin with.

Ginebra got what they wanted, in unloading players that aren't being utilized and getting a future first rounder so give them an A for this one.

Barako Bull addresses their need not only for today, but for tomorrow, by getting TWO young players so they also deserve an A.

Patas na trade. Pwede pala yun?!