Trade RXN: Caperal for Eriobu

Keep an eye on this one.

The Mahindra Floodbusters have agreed in principle to send 6"4 wing rookie Joseph Eriobu to the Phoenix Fuel Masters in exchange for 6"6 big Prince Caperal. We ask that you keep an eye on these two gentlemen, since we believe that they are poised to become solid and serviceable PBA players in the next few years.

Give the Floorbusters and Coach Chris Gavina an A for acquiring Caperal, just weeks removed from losing prized Gilas pick Russel Escoto to a knee injury. Caperal is a solid big man who rebounds, defends, knocks down 15 to 17 ft jumpers AND runs the floor. Though we don't expect Caperal to suddenly improve his Fuel Masters' averages of 19 minutes, 6 points and 6 rebounds, he will be a great building block moving forward. If Caperal plays his cards right, he could easily start at the 4/5 spot should Coach Gavina go big together with an import. Then, once Escoto returns, you are looking at quite the tall and promising frontline.

Who you gonna call?

UGH! APPLE-PEN!
(Photo credit: Paul Ryan Tan)

Don’t call it a comeback.

Veteran star Gary David is reportedly all set to sign a nine-month contract with the Mahindra Floodbusters after being left without a team on PBA opening day.

From a personal standpoint, we are thrilled that David is able to land another job which will allow him to secure the future of his family (if he hasn’t already). At day’s end, these free agents are providers whose sole source of income is the sport that they have come to know and love since their youths. No matter how we ridicule certain players about the way they play or look, we still respect them overall and show them love.

From a basketball blogger/ analyst’s standpoint, well, don’t expect too much out of the man dubbed “El Granada.”

Trade reaction: Mahindra makes its move

Nimes' time to shine
(Photo credit: mapua.edu.ph)

Don't look now but unlike fellow expansion team Blackwater Elite, which has been constantly saying to the media that it is trying to build a competitive line-up while ironically trading away top picks and assets for next-to-nothing, the Mahindra Floodbusters is keeping itself preoccupied with preparations for the coming PBA season.

Based on the people that they released and acquired, it is pretty obvious that head coach Chris Gavina is trying to build a free-flowing, running team and not one that simply, overly relies on point guard L.A. Revilla's wizardry and dies when he's not around.

Trade 1: Josan Nimes for a PBA Draft 2018 - 2nd round pick (Rain or Shine)
As a rookie at RoS, much was expected of Nimes under then head coach Yeng Guiao. The problem was Guiao gave his rookies a specific role: score and play defense in spurts; which didn't really fit Nimes' game. Nimes is a crafty point-small forward whose overall effect in a game is felt only when he is able to play long minutes AND facilitate, NOT jack up shots. At Mahindra, we hope that Coach Chris allows Nimes to run with it and take some of the pressure off Revilla. Also, Nimes needs to work on his defense if he wishes to make a name for himself in the pros.
Grade: B

Motoring on

Revilla and now teammate Taha
(Photo credit: PBA.inquirer.net)

We will be the first ones to say that when Chito Victolero resigned as acting head coach (in lieu of head coach/ newly-elected Senator Manny Pacquiao), we readily expected the Enforcers to go back to their expansion team ways and maybe just look forward to next season's PBA Draft.

Chris Gavina, Victolero's replacement, is not having any of it. In the on-going PBA Governor's Cup, the Enforcers are currently lording it over with an unblemished 3 wins, 0 losses slate anchored on the steady play of import James White (39mpg 28ppg 13rpg) and locals Aldrech Ramos (29mpg 14ppg 3rpg), L.A. Revilla (31mpg 9ppg 6rpg 4apg) and Nino Canaleta (30mpg 11ppg 3rpg).