Seems as easy as 1-2-3 right? One PBA team wants to acquire this season's top three picks (1. Nonoy Baclao, 2. Rabeh Al-Hussaini, 3. Rey Guevarra) so it must meet the requirements of another. Air 21 was ready to receive San Miguel's Danny Seigle and Mick Pennisi in return. But due to threats of public discontent, one revised proposal later, Air 21 welcomes Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros, Dorian Peña and Paul Artadi instead. It's done. Everybody happy. Let's move on. Right? Make no mistake about it. San Miguel got what it wanted. Air 21 got what it wanted. That's a fair deal right there. Yet some view the whole transaction as one colossal mistake. Teka muna. Why should outsiders decide what's best for two teams? Must a trade among businessmen be popular in order for it to be legitimate? Which is more valuable, youth or experience? What was shattered by the trade -- the idealistic view of a balanced league or hearts that palpitated for players born and raised in San Miguel red?
The thing is; a PBA trade between two teams, a contract sealed by handshakes between power-brokers, isn't just between two teams. It's also a covenant shared by every stakeholder involved. Hence, we have an overflow of diverse yet all equally visceral reactions from players, skeptics and fans alike. Three rookies all under 25 years old for three veterans 33 years old and above (the fourth veteran is about to turn 30). It reads like a winning lotto ticket (their age that is) -- 22 23 24 29 33 33 34. Jackpot diba? But who's rejoicing?
The puzzlement cuts many ways. San Miguel invested in the future, which any winning team must do at some point, but lost well-loved team ambassadors in the process. Air 21 shipped out its young frontline to enjoy benefits (in whatever form, long-term or short-term) created by the entry of four SMB veterans. Some say it's unfair to San Miguel for giving up so much. Others say it's unfair to Air 21 for exactly the same reason. Then, there are those who feel it was most unfair to Danny S., Dondon and Dorian who seemed to have given one team everything yet, in the minds of their fans, gained so little in return. Everyone, apparently, has something to grieve about.
While the periphery mourns, the league marches on. The way 7 players will. The way two teams will. The way Seigle, who everyone thought would join and leave the league as a Beerman, will. The way Commissioner Chito Salud, who faced reporters last night and adamantly declared the trade was fair, will. The way the league did even after numerous challenges before.
Go cry foul. Go shed tears if you must. My heart sank when Toyota disbanded. But I recovered. Most of you will too. It won't be easy. But just like winning championships, proposing trades, improving teams and learning from controversy in the PBA, it's never as simple as 1, 2, 3.
Mico Halili, GMA News TV
