Trade reaction: Joseph Yeo to Meralco

The Ninja
(Photo credit: pba-online.net)

Don't you just love a busy off-season?

The Meralco Bolts have reportedly acquired the services of shooting guard Joseph Yeo in exchange for Rey Guevarra in what is definitely a steal of a trade. Yeo, despite being "called out" by GP team owner Mikee Romero, still managed to average 24mpg 9ppg 3rpg 3apg last season while Guevarra, 6mpg 2ppg 1rpg, has been in Coach Norman Black's doghouse and with good reason.

What is the reason you ask?

Real talk: Guevarra is just not that good a PBA playe; and is definitely not on the same footing as Yeo.

Sure, he could dazzle the fans with All Star Weekend dunks, but there is more to basketball than just trying to go for a dunk every single time down the court. That is a reality that even newly-crowned champs, high-flying Japeth Aguilar (and Chris Ellis) had to learn/ is learning the hard way.

Yeo's exit and Guevarra's transfer to GlobalPort will most likely open up minutes at the 3-spot for Anthony Semerad, who was starting to come out of his shell under Coach John Cardel (team consultant Franz Pumaren). This is a good thing, since Semerad has the size and defensive abilities to cover for the high scoring duo of Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle. With Yeo, it never really panned out the way they wanted it too, since all three guys just gave up too much on defense.

Still, we hope that Guevarra is able to turn things around and provide the team with whatever is asked of him. He is athletic enough, so maybe he could start by playing some defense and developing an outside shot (3 and D guys are always needed in the pros).

For Meralco, they are able to immediately address their pressing need for another creator/ scorer on offense. Jared Dillinger was the main guy for them but had to sit out the last PBA Finals, which left rookie Chris Newsome to fend for himself. Jimmy Alapag can still knockdown threes, but the undefeated Father Time is catching up fast.

How do we rate Yeo?

Well basically, Yeo is a shorter, more physical Dillinger: he can pass, shoot, run the floor, finish in transition and when called upon, play point guard (he averaged somewhere near 5 or 6 assists per game at Air21 a few years back). What you love about Yeo is that he's been in the league for a while now, but we hardly recall him being hurt/injured despite his attacking style which is a testament to both his conditioning and high IQ.

We have seen Meralco run with Newsome or Dillinger at the point (sorry Baser Amer), so right now we are flirting with the idea of Yeo, Newsome, Dillinger, Hugnatan and Hodge all going full throttle come Philippine Cup.

Lastly, this is the first time since Coca Cola and SLR that Yeo will be suiting up for a non-SMC backed squad right (Air21 was their farm team lol)?

Meralco grade: A

GlobalPort grade: C