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?

When stardom beckons

It's time to move up for Alas

When news broke out that the Gilas Cadets are finally moving on to the next chapter of their young basketball careers by applying for the 2014 PBA Draft, it was met with a lot of approval and cheers from the Filipino basketball community.

After all, we're talking about guys who've spent a good portion of their collegiate and post-collegiate careers playing for flag and country instead of turning pro outright and securing themselves financially. The risks, the sacrifices, as shown and proven by the unfortunate injury to Team USA hopeful and NBA star Paul George are real. Yet they chose to suit up, playing in different Asian tournaments (and more) at a bargain price if only to proudly wear PILIPINAS on their chests.

Kevin Alas, Ronald Pascual, Matthew Ganuelas Rosser and Jake Pascual have all decided to join the coming 2014 PBA Draft, while their brother Garvo Lanete has opted to stay put with the Gilas Cadet program for maybe another year to further hone his craft.