Curiously, Norman Black traded for a player who can replicate the roles played by several of his SMB players back in the late 80's and early 90's. Sean Anthony would now essay the roles that Black gave to the likes of Jeffrey Graves, Alvin Teng, Romy Lopez, Josel Angeles, Art Dela Cruz, among many others. Black has always been partial to defensive albeit undersized forwards who do the dirty job inside of boxing out, going for the rebound or the loose ball, defending the interior or the perimeter, and scoring in putbacks. The question is if Anthony is still fit to play or is already "damaged goods."
Meralco obviously benefited from this trade as they lost a key reserve in Ronjay Buenafe and a seldom-used big man in Gilbert Bulawan for two reliables - Jared Dillinger and veteran Don Allado. Allado still has a couple of years left in his tank and will play the center role for the team - maybe a starting one at that. Dillinger, so long as he gets back in shape, is a lock at the SF starting position. Given the opportunity, the Bolts may actually turn out to be one of the best defensive teams in the PBA with the addition of these two players.
I'm still trying to figure out what Barako is doing with its lineup. I don't know if Coach Toro has a hand on the decision-making as he was reported to be vacationing in his hometown at present. They were able to secure a shooter in Buenafe but I don't know how much impact he'll have on this team. Then they got Bulawan who'll obviously languish at the bench. They lost Anthony and Allado in the process which is part of the unloading process that the team is doing given that they are at least 9-player heavy at the forward / center position. But I really don't know how things would pan out - especially if rumors are true that the Energy are willing to give up a draft pick for Elmer Espiritu. What the hell would they do with Espiritu? Similarly, if they give up a first round pick for the lanky and athletic UE Warrior, then I'll shake my head even further...
