KKS Trade Reaction: Dehesa to GlobalPort

Dehesa moving up
(Photo credit: Rivals.ph)

We honestly do not know what is going on with the GlobalPort Batang Pier. One day they look and sound like they genuinely wish to build something special; to become Playoff contenders, the next day we hear that the owner has been calling out his players/ employees on his personal Facebook page, the coach gets "benched/ demoted" and this guy or that guy is going to be sent to this team or that team by next conference.

Are they a farm team? Are they the new "Barako Bull" of the PBA? Will Stanley Pringle/ Terrence Romeo be able to build and cement their PBA legacies under one franchise?


Globalport
Karl Dehesa, SG
A lot of folks are saying that GlobalPort won the recent shuffle, primarily because of the name that they now possess. There is a growing belief that Dehesa is starting to breakout as a certified PBA star, owing to his improved numbers: 29mpg 12ppg 3rpg 3apg 2spg. Still, we have been able to keep track of Dehesa and though he has shown a lot of confidence in his game lately, we are not going to jump in on the band wagon just yet. Some are saying that he is blossoming into a 3 point specialist: uh, he is averaging 36% from deep, taken 102 and missed 65. Can he be counted on to lock guys down? Not sure about that either. Still, if we are going to take Dehesa's numbers vs the guy who was supposed to be playing Dehesa's now new role in GlobalPort's "3-guard" attack (which they wanted to re-live after enjoying some success with Asian import Omar Krayem last season), Joseph Yeo, we'd take Dehesa for sure. Then again, Yeo's numbers could all be born from simply deferring to both Pringle and Romeo. So Dehesa might suffer the same fate- if not worse.
Grade: A

Mahindra
Keith Agovida, SF 
This guy remains a mystery. Yes, we know of how he was a certified star back in high school who lost his way and fell victim to the college recruitment thing (plus his own academic shortcomings). But what we really do not know is how far his game has dropped after setting an NCAA high school scoring record of 82 points in 2008. We saw flashes of brilliance in his time with Blackwater, but the high scoring, or even the touch, is clearly not there. If he works his way back into proper game shape, Agovida could be a steal for Mahindra as a lengthy wing scorer who has the IQ to play defense. If he does not, then he very well could find himself out of the PBA in two-three years' time.
Grade: B

Paolo Taha, SG
Is Taha ready to enjoy the same breakout runs as RR Garcia and Carlo Lastimosa? We wouldn't go that far just yet, but being traded to Mahindra would be a good start for him to build a nice PBA career. He has the size, speed and strength to go toe-to-toe with anyone at his position, and having a running buddy in L.A. Revilla will only help make the game easier for him rather than having to always try to keep in step with Pringle and Romeo at GlobalPort.
Grade: B

Blackwater
Roi Sumang

Is it too late now to say sorry?
(Photo credit: GMAnetwork.com)

What's wrong with Roi? Why don't they like him? He's a certified killer, a college superstar and he even has some of that coveted TV friendly looks. So why did he fall deep in the 2015 PBA Draft, and why did he get traded in only two conferences' time? Well, a lot of folks claim that it is his attitude that is keeping him down. Some say it is his manager. Whatever the case maybe, there is a definite opening at Blackwater for a point guard who could spell and maybe someday supplant veteran Mike Cortez. There is also a need for scoring, which Sumang could easily provide in this PBA day and age of high-scoring, fancy dribbling guards. Our only advise to Sumang and his handler: please do not mess this up and pick a fight with Coach Leo Isaac. We all miss seeing the Patilya lighting it up.
Grade: A/C

So yeah, maybe GlobalPort did win this one. And even Mahindra, since they were able to bring in two solid, potential rotation players. But what if Sumang breaks out and sets the league on fire?

Who do you think won this trade?