Trade reaction: Joe DeVance to Ginebra

JDV to Ginebra
(Photo credit to the owner)

This is the sad reality of the current state of Philippine basketball: there are the major players, the independents, and those who exist only to serve and appease the former.

Let us take a look at the most recent trades which involved the following teams: Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, STAR Hotshots, GlobalPort Batang Pier and Barako Bull Energy Cola. Two are sister teams, one has been a long time conduit while another seems to be well on its way as an insurance policy type of conduit. Needless to say, these four teams have always transacted with one another. They have never bothered to look elsewhere for trades most of the time. And as much as we would like to quit saying that yes, there are farm teams in the PBA, well, there are farm teams in the PBA.

If you would like to disagree, let us break down the trades then shall we?

Your Bullish Ways

Lastimosa has proven rather solid
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

Six games into the PBA Philippine Cup, we can now dismiss any and all alibis and arguments made by the Barako Bull Energy Cola camp as to why they did what they did in the 2013 PBA Draft.

“Win now?”

The Energy Cola are currently on a four-game losing streak, pushing the team to the bottom of the standings with a 2-4 slate—just a win better than sister team Air21 Express. The 2013 PBA rookies that they could’ve landed, namely Terrence Romeo, R.R. Garcia and Nico Salva, are doing wonders for GlobalPort Batang Pier. The names that they got in return are either injured or PBA journeymen/ role players at best.

But still we gave head coach Bong Ramos and his motley crew a chance—a chance to prove themselves after having the misfortune of going to a powerhouse, “dog-eat-dog” team.

A Necessary Evil

Fan or not, you have to feel for these two
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

At present, there are over twenty names on the Barako Bull Energy roster including their late draft picks Jeric Fortuna, Carlo Lastimosa, Darwin Cordero, Jett Vidal and Mike Silungan not to mention new recruits through draft day trades Denok Miranda, Willie Miller, Magi Sison and Mark Isip.

We’ve considered all angles and arguments for and against this much-maligned franchise which, if it hasn’t been before, has been branded as a clear-as-egg-white “San Miguel Corporation farm team.” We’ve already touched on how this team was a darkhorse contender during its early years in the PBA, now there’s just no denying how it’s only in the league for the best interests not of its players or fans but for its benefactors.

The value of role players

Petron needs more guys like Pena

Another day, another mind-boggling loss for the stacked Petron Blaze Boosters this time at the unimaginable hands of the rag-tag Air21 Express. It would've been acceptable had the Boosters lost by a couple of points or on a heart-breaking play, but they were just flat-out embarrassed this afternoon by a team whose most household name is their Coach who did all his winning (at the moment) back on the college level.

Losing 97-76, the Boosters looked more erratic than awful on the court. They were trying to make the extra play, revived by the solo coaching job of one Olsen Racela, guys like Joseph Yeo and Alex Mallari appeared to have that extra pep in their steps. But they were just being outperformed by the Express which has appeared to have hit the lotto by opting to go for a more traditional set-up.

The Kraken Watch: June Mar Fajardo is growing

The Kraken: Evolving into something scarier

We've been reading live pre-season tweets about the Petron Blaze Boosters and their prized 2012 number one overall PBA Draft Pick June Mar Fajardo-- and it is scary. While the team has been struggling to find on-court chemistry and balance with their redundantly stacked roster, the one constant has been Fajardo's continued growth as a legit PBA big man.

He's been putting up double figure points, being an easy target for all of his teammates-- his hands are quite exceptional (a must for all bigs, something even Kobe Bryant would attest is the biggest difference between dumping the ball to a Kwame Brown and an Andrew Bynum) and he never strays away from the low post which is always a good thing (hi Japeth! Haaay Japeth).

Back in the fold; Lina at it again

It's plays like this that makes
Pena invaluable for any team

After playing like the rebounding monster/ enforcer of old in the Barako Bull Energy's failed Commissioner's Cup bid, Dorian Pena finds himself back in the Petron Blaze Boosters' fold in exchange for young big Carlo Sharma and veteran PG Celino Cruz.

In the overly-physical Semifinals match-up against the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters, Pena was the big reason why the series went as long as it did. Yes, Danny Seigle (who we believe and would bet money is on his way back to a title contender sooner than later) did have a lot to do with their huge run, but it was Pena's presence in the paint that made it difficult for opponents to bury the rag-tag Energy squad.

Energy punks out Texters

Energy will win if they continue
to keep Pena fresh for the 4th

If the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters fail to advance to the Finals in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, then not only would it come as a shock to the local basketball front, but they'll have only themselves to blame.

In Game 2, we all thought that the tables have finally turned and that the Texters were ready to follow up with a rousing performance in Game 3. Not only did the survive the veteran-laden Barako Bull Energy's physicality, but they ran them roughshod to the ground. But something changed, this writer touched on it in the last two entries (be happy if you could check it out) and it worked to perfection.

The Energy made three key adjustments that pretty much sealed the deal.

Easter Sunday Knockouts: Bet Money

B-Meg Llamados vs Meralco Bolts (series tied 1-1)

Mac Mac needs to stay focused for the Bolts

James Yap looks like he's back in the groove, Marc Pingris has resurfaced to provide the heart and hustle and everyone's pretty much on the same page and focused on winning. Problem is, can they overcome a Bolts squad that is just primed to advance to the Semifinals barring any more unforeseen ejections or even suspensions?

Earl Barron is slowly proving to be the best and most polished import in the league today now that Nick Fazekas and Marcus Douthit have all gone home in the eliminations. Constantly dropping 30 and 20s, the NBA champion reserve is proving to be too much for the lengthy Llamados frontline (which has surprisnigly been downplayed this QFs by the commentators) and counterpart Denzel Bowles. Bowles has all but come undone and unglued in the match-up, being schooled repeatedly and looking more like a JV player rather than a true blue reinforcement.

A matter of pride

Miller: too good not
to play for a title

The Barako Bull Energy continue to win behind its veteran superstar cast bannered by National team standouts Willie Miller, Mick Pennisi, Danny Seigle and Wyne Arboleda. There are also other stellar names such as Ronald Tubid, Dorian Pena and Don Allado who are putting in the work all for the same cause.

To win.

But we've seen this movie before. Different title but with the same script, cast and major players. We know where this is going, and chances are, it will never end with a title for any of the players currently making strides in the PBA. One (or two) will be traded back to a powerhouse squad where he rightfully belongs. The rest would be milked until they are able to reach that same level, and sent off to the highest bidder.