Trade RXN: RR for MGR

Garcia to TNT, Rosser to SMB
(Photo credit: Gilas)

We never thought we'd see the day wherein San Miguel and TNT would see eye to eye and broker an even trade.

Hey #WeArePBA, also, what a time to be alive.

RR Garcia (18mpg 7ppg 1rpg 2apg) was supposed to be the next "great SMB point guard." It is a role that currently belongs to Chris Ross, after aging star Alex Cabagnot has made the full transition to shooting guard and backup Brian Heruela was found lacking. He showed flashes in the Philippine Cup, his first conference with SMB after being acquired from the Star Hotshots, but has obviously lost favor with the team.

Matt Ganuelas-Rosser (19-6-3-3), like Garcia, was also supposed to be the "next big thing" for TNT. Here is a 6"5 athlete who could run like a gazelle, dunk over the opposition, and basically do anything and everything that is required to win games. Only, he doesn't. Or he does, but only up to a certain point which, in his 3rd/4th season in, tells coaches and fans alike that perhaps he has hit a glass ceiling.

This trade could be a blessing for both.

Garcia is reunited with his college coach, Nash Racela at TNT wherein he wouldn't be asked to defer to a superstar teammate (who doesn't defer back). He will be asked to spell incumbent Jayson Castro, and this is a role that we see Garcia having no problems with. He has his own style of basketball, which doesn't include Castro's power drives, but under the DDO he should at least be more effective than current back-up Kris Rosales.

Oh, Kris.

On the flipside, Rosser will not be asked to contribute to the SMB cause right away. This is a great situation for him, since he will play behind a guy who he could potentially be developed into being: former PBA MVP Arwind Santos. If Rosser could pick Santos' brain a bit, and somehow learn to become a lockdown defender and work on his range, then the sky is the limit for the 6"5 former Gilas player. His handles will also give Coach Leo Austria more options on the floor, since it will feel like having two PGs with Rosser and Ross in the future.

Who do you think won this trade?

Right now, we feel it's TNT. But if Rosser works on his game and adapts to the SMB scheme... might be another Jay Washington scenario here.