PBA Trades, Releases, Sign-ups, Rumours (vol. II)

[patay-butiki]

imagine life without the PBA
it's easy if you try
no conflict in scheduling for NT
above the national interest, only sky
imagine all the players
living for NT today.

imagine there's no comissioner barrios
it isn't hard to do
nothing to request or wait for
and no BCAP too
imagine all the players
living life with MVP.

you may say that i'm a dreamer
well i'm not the only one
i hope someday you'll join us
and the Philippines will play as one.

HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS!!!

 

[The_Big_Cat]

some of the current PBA teams especially Rain or Shine is protesting the Air21 name change as allowing a mere change of name would mean Air21 would not spend the same millions ROS paid in order to get into the PBA.

whether it's a separate entity or subsidiary, everybody in the business community knows MVP had actually the bigger capitalist in Harbour Centre and Burger King but Mr Pangilinan is just being modest.

The problem is all about money again as the present teams would benefit if the 2 teams do enter as new franchises.

The local Red Bull owners does really want to have a team in the PBA as they are really passionate about their basketball. But realistically since the company is already having financial difficulty, in due time we would know upto when the team would really last.

If indeed Harbour is considering moving up to the PBA, it would be interesting which PBL players will Harbour elevate with them to the PBA.

 

[grimaze]

Guiao's Exit?

Guiao's Exit?

Report: Red Bull faces uncertain future after Guiao exit

MANILA, Philippines – Yeng Guiao may have had enough.

Following the latest move of Red Bull to trade star player Cyrus Baguio and reliable back up Celino Cruz, Guiao decided it’s high time to leave a team whose future remains uncertain.

The fiery coach, according to a reliable source, has tendered his resignation as mentor of the Barakos Saturday night.

Team manager Tony Chua, however, asked Guiao to reconsider his decision.


http://www.gmanews.tv/story/141570/Report-Red-Bull-faces-uncertain-future-after-Guiao-exit

 

[mayfel]

Report: Red Bull faces uncertain future after Guiao exit

MANILA, Philippines – Yeng Guiao may have had enough.

Following the latest move of Red Bull to trade star player Cyrus Baguio and reliable back up Celino Cruz, Guiao decided it’s high time to leave a team whose future remains uncertain.

The fiery coach, according to a reliable source, has tendered his resignation as mentor of the Barakos Saturday night.

Team manager Tony Chua, however, asked Guiao to reconsider his decision.


http://www.gmanews.tv/story/141570/Report-Red-Bull-faces-uncertain-future-after-Guiao-exit

and finally coach yeng cannot take what red bull is doing..they are selling their players to the other ball clubs..i think the pba should look closer to what red bull is doing

 

[regierr]

and finally coach yeng cannot take what red bull is doing..they are selling their players to the other ball clubs..i think the pba should look closer to what red bull is doing

They are also making the PBA draft irrelevant since they eventually will trade their players.

 

[nardy]

December 30, 2008 06:02 PM Tuesday

3 teams eyeing Yeng as coach
By: Zean Macamay
YENG Guiao may soon find himself coaching another PBA team after all.

Three days after quitting his job as Red Bull coach, Guiao has been offered by three teams for his services, the most eager of which is Coca-Cola, the ball club eliminated from contention in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup.

An unimpeachable source who requested not to be identified said that two other ball clubs still seeing action have also made their offers to the gung-ho mentor, but declined to name them.

“Coca-Cola is one of the teams that has already inquired for Guiao’s availability,” said the source. “As for the other two, I simply cannot name them at this point in time.”

The Tigers have been booted out from contention in the season-opening tournament, beaten by San Miguel Beer the other night 99-89 in the knockout-style wild card stage.

Coca-Cola, which sacked head coach Binky Favis after winning only one game in its first four matches, ended up with a 7-11 (win-loss) record after the 18-game elimination round. The coach who took the spot of Favis, former MVP Kenneth Duremdes, had a 6-9 record while calling the shots for the Tigers.

Although no official statement has yet been issued by Red Bull and Guiao himself, the 49-year old Pampanga vice-governor has already submitted his resignation to the Bulls’ management during a meeting last Saturday.

Another source revealed that development, saying that Guiao was no longer interested in handling a team that has no direction after trading marquee players to other ball clubs.

Also, Guiao consulted his family before coming into a decision. He was asked by team manager Tony Chua to reconsider his judgment, but the source said that Guiao has no intention of changing his mind.

“Malaki na rin naman ang naitulong ni coach Yeng sa Red Bull,” said the source.

Guiao rewarded the Bulls with three championships – the back-to-back Commissioner’s Cup crowns from 2002 and then the Fiesta Conference title in the 2005-06 season. He also steered Red Bull to seven consecutive semifinals appearances, a league record.

Under the Bulls, he compiled a win-loss record of 245 wins as against 201 losses and has a PBA coaching record of 429-389.

Guiao’s decision to quit from Red Bull was triggered when the team decided to let go of Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz to Air21 in exchange for merely first round picks in 2011 and 2012.

But before that, Red Bull was already giving away key players. It began when it released Enrico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela, Larry Fonacier, Topex Robinson and Mick Pennisi in a span of two seasons – the core of the ball club that beat Purefoods in six games for the Fiesta Conference crown in 2005-06.

The Bulls finished dead last in the ongoing tournament, winning only five games with 13 setbacks. It was the first time that Red Bull ended up last in nine conferences or since the 2004-05 Fiesta Cup.

“As a coach, he wants to win,” said the source. “But how can you win without the materials. Maski naman anong galing mo na coach kung wala ka namang players bale wala rin.”

Meantime, Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said yesterday that everything now is A-OK with his superstar player James Yap and defensive coach Koy Banal.

Yap was caught on national television throwing something to the Purefoods assistant coach after being criticized for not doing his part in defense during the team’s wild card encounter against Air21 last Sunday.

Purefoods lost that game, 94-82.

“While the incident caught on tape was unfortunate, let me assure you that it was just a misunderstanding that was aggravated by the heat of the action,” said Gregorio.

“In the end, logic and respect towards each other prevailed over misplaced temper and anger. It is a relief in my part to see them bury the hatchet before we parted ways. Time to move on and move forward.

“Yes, things are ok now. I saw them hug each other and apologies were both accepted.”

 

[nardy]

Monday, December 29, 2008

Leave Red Bull alone
By Reuel Vidal

BASKETBALL pundits are raking the Red Bull Barakos over the coals for the latest trade which sent their two best players in Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz to the Air21 Express in exchange for Air21’s first-round draft picks in 2011 and 2012.

The howl of protest is because Red Bull seems to be regularly trading its best players to other Philippine Basketball Association teams. The Barakos finished dead last in the past Philippine Cup and their only shining light was the stellar performance of Baguio and Cruz at the guard positions.

Prior to the Baguio and Cruz trade to Air21, the Barakos also sent Lordy Tugade and Mick Pennisi to the San Miguel Beermen. Willie Miller (now with the Alaska Aces) was shipped to Talk N Text a year after winning a Most Valuable Player award.

Purefoods’ best players not named James Yap—Kerby Raymundo, Rico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez, Topex Robinson and Paolo Bugia—are all from Red Bull.

Red Bull shipped these players to other teams when they were playing the best basketball of their careers. Because of this Red Bull practice, there are unsubstantiated insinuations that the team is selling its players to the highest bidder.

There is no PBA rule or local law which prohibits a PBA team from doing that. Even if Red Bull is really selling its players (which, by the way, I believe to be totally false), then they are perfectly within their rights to do so. It’s a perfectly valid business decision.

The players are after all theirs and Red Bull should be properly compensated if they lose possession of these players just like they would be if they gave up any other asset.

Even the competitive balance of the league is not hurt by the Red Bull practice. Notice that the Barakos are regular fixtures in the PBA playoffs. The Red Bull debacle in the past Philippine Cup where they placed dead last is the first time that this has happened to Red Bull in years.

But even so, the league format is such that you cannot discount the possibility of the Barakos winning a PBA title as early as the next Fiesta Conference.

This is because in the next PBA conference with imports, the quality of the import usually decides which team wins championships. And Red Bull has always been blessed with the best imports in the league.

Basically, all Red Bull has to do is get the best import, complement him with a supporting cast of good role players and gun for a PBA title in the second conference.

Because of its decimated lineup, other teams mopped the floor with the Barakos in the ongoing All-Filipino conference but with a good import, the Barakos will be competitive in the Reinforced conference and could just as easily win a title as any other PBA team.

So, to basketball pundits everywhere: Leave the Red Bull Barakos alone. They are honorable men.

PBA: No salary cap violation for Barakos
By Ronnie Nathanielsz

THE Philippine Basketball Association explained that the decision to approve the trade of Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz from Red Bull to Air21 was based on the fact that the Barakos, who have been eliminated, have time to comply with the minimum salary cap in the second conference.

PBA legal counsel Melvin Mendoza, in a conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, explained that since Red Bull is not competing now and until the next conference they are supposed to meet the minimum requirements. “But in the meantime you cannot impose on a team that is not yet playing.”

Red Bull team manager Tony Chua, the former PBA chairman, who together with current vice chairman Lito Alvarez of Air21, met with commissioner Sonny Barrios and convinced him to approve the Baguio-Cruz trade for first-round draft picks in 2010 and 2011, reportedly assured the commissioner that as soon as they play, they will comply.

Mendoza said that should Red Bull not comply, it’s up to the board to decide on what sanctions, if any, to take.

“Until the time comes that a violation has been committed, there is nothing that we can do,” Mendoza said.

Critics of the trade and the decimation of the Red Bull squad pointed to the fact that Red Bull was the first team to be eliminated from the ongoing conference precisely because of its trading of star players and the almost impossible task of rebuilding the Barakos’ team, considering its current financial situation.

But Chua reportedly answered these critics by saying that they are just building their team. “Wait for us, we may have some problems but we want to still remain competitive.”

Standard Today, www.insidesports.ph and Viva Sports learned that Red Bull is seeking to reorganize and find a partner for the Red Bull team.

The speculation is that Mikee Romero of Philippine Basketball League champion team Harbour Centre will acquire the Red Bull franchise, although reports indicated that the young businessman was buying into Air21, which will become Burger King in the next conference in a move confirmed by Alvarez. PLDT-Smart owner Manuel V. Pangilinan also has a personal investment in the Burger King franchise, along with former PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, as well as Wilson Young of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies, among others.

 

[mayfel]

Coke’s door open for Guiao
COCA-COLA, one of the teams in search for a new coach, is now opening its doors to applicants.

And one of the coaches the Tigers are going to consider is former Red Bull mentor Yeng Guiao.

Guiao reportedly tendered his resignation last Saturday, ending his eight-year relationship with the Barakos.

Coca-Cola board representative JB Baylon told Standard Today that they haven’t decided about the coaching position of the squad, but would open the doors for possible applicants. And Guiao is one of those they would consider.

“We will open the doors to anyone, including coach Yeng. But whether we can afford him or not is another question,” said Baylon in jest. “He’s a great coach and I won’t be surprised to see him handling another team come next conference.”

The five-time PBA champion reportedly has had enough of seeing his players being traded by the Barakos, the main reason why he decided to leave his squad.

“He has seen enough with these wheeling and dealing and trading of his star players,” said a source, who requested anonymity. “There are times na nasisisi pa si coach dahil akala ng iba may kinalaman siya sa mga trades.”

The same source disclosed that Guiao has reportedly been persuaded by Red Bull management to reconsider his decision. He added that the two-time Coach of the Year awardee would rather concentrate on his duty as coach of the RP Team, which will be playing in five overseas tournament in 2009 before plunging to action in the Fiba Asia Men’s Basketball Championship.

“Chances of coach Yeng returning to Red Bull is very, very slim,” said the source. “The truth is, medyo nasira kasi ’yung winning reputation niya.”

Guiao is the prime candidate for the Tigers’ coaching post. The Tigers are being handled by interim mentor Kenneth Duremdes, whose contract with the team expires at the end of the year.

Baylon said Duremdes will not return as a player, but can still join the coaching staff. Coca-Cola management is set to officially retire his jersey anytime soon.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports3_dec30_2008

 

[mayfel]

An erosion of principles
BY RONNIE NATHANIELSZ

ANYBODY, who believes that Red Bull team manager Tony Chua has continued to trade his star players until the team has been almost totally decimated of truly competitive talent in exchange for mere draft picks in the years ahead must be, to put it bluntly, naive.

We have been in one way or another involved with the Philippine Basketball Association since its founding in 1975 and have witnessed the erosion of the values and virtues of the pro-league from its glory days to the present time which, in some respects, reflects the degeneration of our national character marred to the bone by insatiable greed and corruption and the abrasiveness and brutal arrogance of some people in power.

This has never been more evident in the world of sports than in the beating up of a golfer and his kids by the son and bodyguards of a Cabinet official who, by all accounts, stood idly by and watched the violence and flagrant injustice.

Red Bull is no longer a competitive team and this is obviously driven home by the fact that it was the first team to be eliminated in the ongoing conference. It’s true that under national coach Yeng Guiao, even with a depleted lineup, the Barakos did well in the past. But that’s when the roster was not totally wasted by Chua in a selling spree that has stained the image of the PBA and, according to some reports, prompted Guiao, who is basically a coach who wants to win, like any self-respecting coach would, to resign.

It is time for those who don’t quite understand the workings of the PBA to realize that merely because a player is under contract with a team, the management of that team can treat him like a piece of meat and sell him if it wishes to as a justifiable business decision. Hell no. The fundamental philosophy of a trade is that the teams involved acquire the services of a player that would fulfill its needs and strengthen its competitiveness. Period.

To consider excellent basketball players as any other asset and to therefore justify the sale is to insult the human dimensions of an athlete. While they are assets, they are assets as players competing in the PBA and as promoters of the product they represent in the marketplace. But the players themselves are not products to be sold in the marketplace.

Trading Cyrus Baguio for a first-round draft pick of Air21 in 2010 can never be even remotely regarded as a justifiable trade in basketball terms, because Baguio has blossomed into one of the finest players in the PBA and because of his talent and performance has been chosen as a member of the national pool.

Taken against the fact that the outstanding young players, who would normally have joined the PBA Annual Draft have now been incorporated into the training pool under Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas project director Rajko Toroman and will be given contracts that would match PBA salaries in order to keep them in harness for the national cause, the pool of genuine rookie talents would be almost totally dried up. So what does Tony Chua expect to get from such an allegedly direct trade? And hasn’t he heard of the tried and tested saying that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?

We sympathize with Red Bull owner George Chua, a fine gentleman if ever we saw one, whose businesses have come upon hard times making it almost impossible to afford the cost of maintaining a competitive PBA team. It is obvious that the selling of star players by Tony Chua camouflaged by supposed trades was meant to tide the team over a difficult phase.

Tony Chua has been looking to either sell the franchise or to find a partner willing to invest. This is apparently the assurance he gave PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios in order to get the Baguio-Celino Cruz trade approved despite the fact that based on current figures, Red Bull is in violation of the minimum salary cap, although legally it has time to correct the anomaly by the end of the next conference.

Even Mikee Romero of Philippine Basketball League champion Harbour Centre and who has suddenly become visible at the PBA games and was even present at the PBA Press Corps Christmas party, told us that he was not interested in buying a franchise with an almost totally decimated team. We learned that instead, the youthful Romero will move into Air21, which will carry the Burger King name in the next conference and that among the partners who have made personal investments are PLDT-Smart owner Manuel V. Pangilinan and former PBA chairman Ricky Vargas.

For Tony Chua or anyone else to claim that the competitive balance of the league is not hurt by the trades is to turn a blind eye to reality. Even with Baguio and Cruz in the lineup, Red Bull was the first team to be eliminated! Besides, the basic thrust if not strength of the PBA is competitive balance which the Commissioner’s Office is duty bound to seek to maintain. Indeed, we find it hard to understand how both the Commissioner’s Office and the PBA board continue to allow these trades while denying San Miguel Corp. teams the right to directly trade with one another and continues to refuse Purefoods its inherent voting rights. Would the PBA board and commissioner Barrios be amenable to an assurance from SMC that they would maintain competitive balance and that Purefoods would vote independently just as the three San Miguel teams operate independently? Just asking.

When Enrico Villanueva was taken off the Restricted Players’ List based on the dubious reason that he and coach Guiao didn’t get along, we raised serious questions about the justification for taking him off the list because we were aware that he was being peddled allegedly at a substantial price to another cash-rich team before ending up with San Miguel Beer. Now, we have gathered that even the RPL has been totally scrapped which paved the way for the Baguio trade and future trades of marquee players.

We hate to say this but the PBA board and the overall environment of the pro league continues to be ruined by an erosion of principles of the past and a growing failure to adhere to fundamental values and rules and regulations. What a crying shame.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports6_dec30_2008

 

[SkyWalker]

Coke’s door open for Guiao


“Chances of coach Yeng returning to Red Bull is very, very slim,” said the source. “The truth is, medyo nasira kasi ’yung winning reputation niya.”

Guiao is the prime candidate for the Tigers’ coaching post. The Tigers are being handled by interim mentor Kenneth Duremdes, whose contract with the team expires at the end of the year.

.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports3_dec30_2008

I like that attitude. He's a very competitive guy, but the way he brings down Coach Rajko is something that also gives him negative image. I say he leave politics alone and concentrates on basketball. It'll be great for him.

 

[nardy]

I like that attitude. He's a very competitive guy, but the way he brings down Coach Rajko is something that also gives him negative image. I say he leave politics alone and concentrates on basketball. It'll be great for him.

that would be difficult for Yeng as the the Guiaos is a political family. Before he even got involved in basketball, he grew up in a poltical household. And as an ally of the Arroyo government and committed to unseating the current Governor of Pampanga, he has the connections to be noisy.

 

[ankle breaker]

yeng guiao should instead wait until 2010 and concentrate first in basketball. just let gov. panlilio serve out his term and try to give his share and visions in running pampanga.

 

[nardy]

yeng guiao should instead wait until 2010 and concentrate first in basketball. just let gov. panlilio serve out his term and try to give his share and visions in running pampanga.

should be but the with the backings of GMA and the Pinedas, Yeng has already led the Mayors of Pampanga in filing for a recall election. The Political officials of Pampanga used mob rule and is ganging up on Governor Among Ed. It's really sad in our country when you are doing the right thing you are almost alone and is outnumbered by the other side and due to numbers, they make the wrong look like a right.

 

[ankle breaker]

yeng also had some run ins with the lapids who ruled pampanga for almost a decade starting with lito down to mark lapid. but it was with mark where issues came in bunches. however, he didn't succeed and as expected, he will not succeed this time against panlilio. and if the pinedas will indeed take over pampanga, we can say poor yeng. he will lost the legacy built by his father.

 

[mayfel]

AFTER MEETING WITH FAMILY


Guiao likely to quit Red Bull today


By Arman Carandang

01/02/2009



Would Yeng Guiao reconsider his decision to quit as Red Bull’s head coach?

His words seem final.

“I think wala na ito, ‘go’ na ito” said Guiao yesterday when asked if there are chances he would reconsider his earlier decision.

Guiao revealed he will still bring the matter up with his family and close relatives during their family reunion today.

“Magandang pag-usapan ito siguro with my family. Pero sa akin talaga wala na ito,” he said.

The feisty, smart mentor who is also the coach of the training National team has reportedly tendered his resignation from Red Bull owing to the team management’s “utter lack of direction” in forming a competitive roster.

The Red Bull management was said to have appealed to Guiao.

“It’s hard to imagine that you try to give your all to strengthen the team, only to find out that your good players are leaving because of trades,” he said.

When asked what would make him change his mind, Guiao said: “Gusto ko competitive team. Ewan ko kung kaya pang mapalakas ang team. Baka mahirap at magtatagal pa.”

Guiao has spent eight-and-a-half seasons with Red Bull, leading the squad to two PBA titles. Save for this conference when the team was eliminated, the Bulls were semifinalists for eight consecutive conferences despite lacking in “superstars.”

Yet, despite lacking in big names, the team has not ran out of players for trades, the latest of which involved Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz, both consistent performers in the offensive end.

Three teams are reportedly interested to hire Guiao, but Guiao would not confirm it, himself.

“Jobless ako ngayon. Wala pa akong team,” Guiao told the Tribune yesterday.

Guiao admitted receiving feelers from other teams wanting his services, but added “those are mere words from a broker.”

“Officially, wala pa talaga lumalapit sa akin,” he said.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/sports/20090102spo1.html

 

[mayfel]

Guiao resigns as Red Bull coach
By Nelson Beltran Updated January 02, 2009 12:00 AM
Joseller “Yeng” Guiao was to make his final decision on whether he is staying on or not as a Red Bull coach over dinner with his family last night.

“I’m consulting with the family. By tomorrow (Saturday), I’ll have the decision,” Guaio told The STAR.

Guiao tendered his resignation in a meeting with Red Bull team owner George Chua Saturday but he was asked to reconsider his decision.

“Right now, I’m torn between my emotional attachment with the team and my desire to coach a competitive team. Hindi masama ang pinakita nila sa akin. My concern is that my personal desire hasn’t been addressed. Mas lumala pa with Cyrus Baguio gone,” said Guiao.

“What boss George told me is that we’re reorganizing, we’re rebuilding and we’re staying,” Guiao added.

Red Bull has been badly decimated by the departure of players who were largely responsible for the team’s three title conquests in the league. It was the first team to move out of contention for the championship in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup.

Players now with the other teams are former mainstays Willie Miller, Kerby Raymundo, Rico Villanueva, Larry Fonacier, Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela, Topex Robinson, Mick Pennisi, Rich Alvarez, Celino Cruz and Baguio.

Speculations are ripe the team is disbanding but the management insists the team is here to stay.

Guiao is thinking of severing his ties with the team, saying his personal desire is not just participating but competing competitively.

Red Bull was the first team eased out in the ongoing PBA tourney, ending the team’s long streak of finishes inside the top four.

Meanwhile, Guiao is calling the national team back for its once-a-week practice on Monday.

“By the semis of the Philippine Cup, baka twice a week na kami,” said Guiao, calling the shots for the RP team seeing action in the SEABA Men’s Championship and the FIBA-Asia Championship this year.

http://philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=428546&publicationSubCategoryId=69

 

[The_Big_Cat]

So, where will Yeng Guiao end up after Red Bull?
Coca-Cola?

 

[mayfel]

So, where will Yeng Guiao end up after Red Bull?
Coca-Cola?

but i prefer coach yeng to focus on the national team instead of having a new team to coach.. why?? because he can land a job in any team in the off season so let's be patriotic this around.. only 8 months of handling the national team and after that he can coach anyteam anyteam because it's the sbp's turn and toroman to lead the national team in the rest of the way

 

[pepman]

Yeng will end again in the TV panel.
As for his stint with the Tigers, Welcome back!

 

[The_Big_Cat]

Yeng will end again in the TV panel.
As for his stint with the Tigers, Welcome back!

Quite interesting considering that Coca-Cola used to be the RFM Franchise where Yeng used to coach.