MANILA, Philippines – The trade between San Miguel and Air21 that was consumated after a harried revision of the affected players is the kind of trade that benefited not only the teams but the league as well. This was the consensus of different PBA coaches who analyzed the deal that sent Air21’s three top draft picks last year in exchange for four veterans from the powerful San Miguel franchise.
Both teams, said the observers, win in the trade, although the impact on each team will be different.
In the short term, Air21 gained more, but in the long run, it could be San Miguel.
Overall, the trade that brought Nonoy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra to the Beermen, has made San Miguel and Air21 look more formidable in the eyes of four other coaches.
Air21 got ace shooter Dorian Pena, Danny Seigle and Paul Artadi and Dondon Hontiveros.
“On a short term, I think it could help Air21 a little bit. But if you get the top three picks in the draft, just give them time and the chance to develop their skills. San Miguel, I think, is the clear winner,” Alaska coach Tim Cone said.
Cone, of course, is referring to Baclao, Al-Hussaini and Guevarra – the top three picks in last year’s PBA Rookie Draft.
In the previous Philippine Cup, the 6-foot-7 Al-Hussaini – the No. 2 pick – finished fifth in scoring with 17.5 points and eighth in rebounding with 8.8 boards per game, while Baclao – the No. 1 pick – led the all-Filipino conference in blocks with 2.5, while averaging 5.6 points and 8.5 rebounds (No. 10).
“San Miguel still have a lot of players, their core is still intact. These rookies will play behind the likes of Arwind Santos, Jay Washington and Alex Cabagnot,” Cone said.
Rain or Shine mentor Yeng Guiao shares the same opinion, saying: “San Miguel got younger, and Air21 got step-up players with championship experience to complement the young players. I think it’s a fair trade.”
According to Guiao, that should be the essence of a good trade, where teams will get better, as well as the league as it will ensure the balanced competition.
“For me, the commissioner (Chito Salud) would know what the interest of the league is. He considered not just the interest of one or two teams, but the entire league. It will take time for SMB before the three guys will blend with them, while the veterans Air21 got will take less time to adjust to their new team,” Guiao said.
Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said that a trade doesn’t usually turn to a success story, as more often than not, it really takes time to get the new players accustomed to the new system, which is what he is facing now with the Bolts.
Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin
