On the wings of love

Trade looming?
(Photo credit to Rappler.com)

With the recent acquisition of Barako Bull Energy Cola by newcomers Phoenix Petroleum, we cannot help but feel the budding romance in the air.

Romance, in the sense that the next two conferences (and or more) will probably be a Team San Miguel Corporation lovefest by way of most of the guys on the Phoenix roster being sent “back” to the one they truly love be it San Miguel, Ginebra or Star. This in turn will corroborate and confirm everyone’s hunch that yes, Barako served as a true farm team and that most of its players were simply out on loan (remember Joseph Yeo’s “Gentleman’s Agreement?”).  Bye-bye Barako farm team, the players get to be sent to winning franchises and we are finally (hopefully) rid of lopsided trades from here on out.

Unfortunately, not everyone will enjoy a happy-ending, or we don’t see ALL of the guys from Barako going back.

Petron proves there's life after Balkman

Sonny Thoss can kiss his default
"Best Center in the Philippines" title goodbye

In their first outing after the whole Renaldo Balkman episode that has reached global proportions, the Petron Blaze Boosters finally looked like the team that they were supposed to be considering their elite local starpower.

Playing in front of a sold out Panabo City crowd (controversy, as the years will tell you, creates monetary opportunities for all), the Boosters were able to take solo 2nd in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup by beating the Rain or Shine Elastopainters, 87-79. At the forefront of the victory were rookie Junemar Fajardo who finished with a stellar 20 points and 13 rebounds output and sophomore Marcio Lassiter who chipped in 14 points (12 in the deciding 4th quarter to finally breakaway from the E-Painters).

Paul Artadi to Meralco

Unlike his kumpare James, Artadi has been traded
numerous times in his pro career

As approved by the PBA Commissioner's Office, Paul Artadi has been traded to the Meralco Bolts for Chico Lanete. Where this latest acquisition of the Bolts goes, nobody knows for sure other than the fact that Artadi will be reunited with former Purefoods/ BMeg coach Ryan Gregorio.

At the Bolts camp, Artadi will presumably be playing behind star Sol Mercado (who masquerades as a Derrick Rose-like power point guard) and even Fil-Am Chris Ross (and just a hairline in front of Chris Timberlake). There's no question that based on the four point guards' collective reps alone, Gregorio is looking for his team to run (perhaps after the Powerade protoype).

Now if only they could get Jason Ballesteros to bulk up and quit being timid in the paint.

As for the Barako Bulls and Chico Lanete- well, he'll either put up solid numbers as Willie Miller's back-up, or even an eventual starter once the Lina-owned franchise go back to their old ways and trade vets for cash.