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.

PBAPC16 QF: 3 Rain or Shine vs 10 Blackwater

Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net

Talk about having to go through a Rite of Passage for the Blackwater Elite: though they just earned their first playoff appearance in their young franchise history, they find themselves with a twice-to-beat disadvantage versus perennial title contenders, the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

Elite head coach Leo Isaac will need to squeeze all he can from main guys Carlo Lastimosa (23mpg 16ppg 3rpg 2apg), JP Erram (26mpg 12ppg 9rpg), Art dela Cruz (22mpg 11ppg 4rpg), Reil Cervantes (19mpg 9ppg 3rpg) and whoever among Raphy Reyes, Keith Agovida and Jason Melano are up to the challenge of locking horns with a physical RoS group.

Crown Jewel

Kumpyansa goes a long way
(Photo credit to the owner)

Credit Rain or Shine Elastopainters' head coach for turning another almost lost PBA career around.

He did it for the likes of Beau Belga and JayR Quinahan who pre-RoS were surely on their way out of the PBA as teams were looking for mobile, athletic bigs. He had a hand in the development of now legit PBA household names Cyrus Baguio, Larry Fonacier and Jeffrei Chan, turning them from good to great while other players of their caliber (the Baguio types: Val Acuna and PJ Cabahug, the Chan/Fonacier: John Wilson, Jimbo Aquino are dealing with life being in and out of the league/ glued to the bench).

Add RoS' new resident big man, 6"5 Jewel Ponferada, to the list.