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

[mathematicianrcg]

As for Victolero, he just needs to adjust his defense to his personnel, like Sangalang for example. Look at how the Bulls and Nuggets use Vučević and Jokić, or how RoS use Beau. They just disrupt the passing lanes. Maybe use Sangalang to just do that. This is probably his only shortcoming defensively. His teams can already cover penetration and outside shots.

And that only shortcoming is very big imo.

PNR is almost the heart and soul of offensive plays right now.

Hmmm. Should we credit Coach Chot as TNT can defend pnr better? Or his players (Bigs) Kelly, Troy and Poy are just more versatile.

[mathematicianrcg]

I think Compton was unlucky to go up against Fajardo era SMB. But I think he maximized the talent of his squad. Alaska started cost cutting during his tenure, letting go of its stars and good players when it became too expensive. Abueva and Manuel alone could not lift an aging and mediocre supporting cast. But they were able to reach the AFC finals 2x IRC by implementing a pressing defense and playing most of their players.

They had a Chance in 2018 governors cup.

Yet, they lost to Coach Chito's Magnolia (With Lebron James HS teammate Romeo Travis)

[IPC]

And that only shortcoming is very big imo.

PNR is almost the heart and soul of offensive plays right now.

Hmmm. Should we credit Coach Chot as TNT can defend pnr better? Or his players (Bigs) Kelly, Troy and Poy are just more versatile.

As to Chot, I think we should both credit him and his bigs. Chot designed a good defensivs scheme, and Kelly and Erram could cover PnR better.

Chot's preference for smaller (but not too small) but more defensively versatile bigs could not be faulted here.

[IPC]

The problem is, our local bigs lose with this import height limit. This is a win for small-ball, but the small-ball center or small-ball 4 is usually the import. The local centers who can't play PF don't get as many opportunities to play either position, because the import and the local small-ball four are better than them. Unless the import's like Hester or Dior Lowhorn, we can't really develop our 6'6"-6'8" bigs to play PF.

Yeah

We gonna take positive with the negative.

Additionally, I don't really think any legit Center in Pba are talented enough to be a 4. JMF cant, Greg Cant, Chua cant, Belga Cant, Quinahan Cant.

Usually it is really the small ball 5 who can transition into 4. Like Hodge, Perkins, etc. And they are generally smaller.
Only exception would be maybe Japeth, the only 6'9 local big I can say that can play PF and C.

Yes This is a Wing/Combo Forward Import Conference.

No way you will play and experiment this 6'6-6'8 Inside Game Bigs in the 4 spot. They will have that when there will be a Unlimited Height Conference.

PERO to be frank. Even In Unlimited Height Conference, looks like Pba teams already realized that it is better to select a wing and forward than a center. (Just like Terrence Jones and Cmac)Because generally, 6'9'-6'10 wings/forwards are naturally more talented than 7'0 or above if we are talking about imports.

I agree about the preference of PBA teams on imports like Jones and CMac due to them being well-rounded players despite their 6'9" and above frame, but I think we can only speculate for now regarding the less preference on 7-footers.

When was the last time PBA had an open height limit for imports? Was it 2014/15 season? I remember KIA had an import from Africa (Ndiaye-something) and that import was lit as a rim protector, that even JMF couldn't put this usual kalabawan moves on him due to the import's wingspan + decent athleticism for a 7-footer, but thanks to KIA being a sophomore (and not too talented) team that year, that distinct advantage didn't matter.

Imagine if we have those kind back in the PBA, where some mid-table teams (Alaska, ROS, NLEX, PHX) with offensively-capable local guards/wings taking up their services. Even if limited offensively, the impact that import would bring on defense would more than make up for his perceived offensive deficiencies (I mean, he'd still be a 7-footer and athletic, and just needs to pair up with a good lob-passer).

6'10-7'0+ footers are great if they are talented enough. Like PJ Ramos, Chris Alexander, Ndiaye, Bowles, etc.

But most of the time they are not as talented as their wing import counterparts. (For ex. Sundov)

But yeah I agree. A skilled(or athletic) and Rim Protector 7 Footer import can lead lower and mediocre teams to contention. ( Like how Allen Durham convert meralco into barely playoff team into a Finals appearance team)

I mostly agree on your points here. I just realized that if ever PBA lifts the import height limit, its teams would probably still get beaten out in signing those talented NBA-sized bigs by the other Asian leagues (season calendar structure, more pay, etc.)

I dont think the word should be preference but more of fit. Take for instance Ginebra, with Slaughter and Japeth there, are you still going to get a bigman? Ofcourse you will always prefer a wing since they will fit more to the system than adding another big that will probably absorb the minutes of the twin tower. Same case with SMB, you cant get a guy that will probably take the touches of Junemar from the post. As for TNT, they were never known to be a post up/big man type of team so they will always prefer a versatile forward that can pass and shoot the ball instead of posting up. Also notice that aside from the 3 teams that I mention, most of the teams in the PBA prefer bigmen, even during a 6’5 limit conference they always look for an inside presence guy

I think really, only Ginebra, SMB, TNT, and probably Mags don't really feel the need for a dominant inside presence who could play center. The others, though, need a really big inside presence, even if it's just on the defensive end.

I hope the PBA considers an unli-height conference, and that unli-height conference should be one of only two tournaments, or maybe even the only tournament in the PBA season. The unli-height conference will get us more used used to playing with and against taller, more skilled, more athletic foreigners. This will help our younger 6'6"-6'8" bigs transition to 4, or be able to play 4, like Sangalang, Troy, Kelly, Erram. If our 6'6"-6'8" bigs play 4 alongside the import, their height will be less of an issue.

[mathematicianrcg]

As to Chot, I think we should both credit him and his bigs. Chot designed a good defensivs scheme, and Kelly and Erram could cover PnR better.

Chot's preference for smaller (but not too small) but more defensively versatile bigs could not be faulted here.

Yeah. Coach Chot improved more after his break from coaching. Probably learn a lot in coaching seminars, and watching basketball tapes.

Btw, I just realized all MVP Coaches (Chot, Yeng, Norman, even Coach Jong) came from SMC too. Lol

SMC and MVP not only get top players. Also Coaches. Lol.

Fortunately, Coaches Topex and Gavina are showing some potential.

[digitalsuperman]

Trade alert: Justin Melton to Blackwater for Ed Daquioag.

wait. justin melton was just recently traded right?

[IPC]

wait. justin melton was just recently traded right?

Yep, he was. For Laput.

[thatweirdguy]

Dunno where to post this but Lawrence Chongson has passed away. RIP Ironcoach..

[IPC]

Semerad got me thinking about how the small ball 4 has become more common for PBA teams. And a great majority are good-sized for the position already. And all of them can play the 3 and play or guard the perimeter.

NLEX - 6'4" Semerad, 6'5" Oftana
TerraFirma - 6'5" Cahilig, 6'5" Adams (although he usually plays the 3)
NorthPort - 6'4" Arwind, 6'5" Ferrer, 6'6" Malonzo
Ginebra - 6'3" Mariano, 6'4" Dillinger, 6'5" Tolentino
Magnolia - 6'2" Abueva, 6'5" Dionisio
MERALCO - 6'4" Hodge (he used to play SF earlier in his career)
TNT - 6'4" Khobuntin
Phoenix - 6'4" Anthony, 6'5" Manganti, hopefully 6'5" Camacho
RoS - 6'2" Mocon, 6'4" Santillan, 6'4" Borboran

Hopefully, more 6'4"-6'5" guys come in, and they play the small-ball 4. Eventually, hopefully these guys then get moved to the 3.

So far, this conference, looks like Santillan has been playing more like a traditional 4 than a small-ball 4. That sucks, since he showed flashes of being able to play like a wing and transition to 3 this past All-Filipino.

Hope RoS can develop him to be more of a perimeter player/small-ball 4 in the future.

[IPC]

We already know some of them from Gilas. Go has played PF for Gilas (and he's drafted in the PBA). Baltazar as well, Tamayo too. Although, hoping the latter two would play abroad first.

Sa draft prospects, I think 6'7" Christian Fajarito and 6'7" Jeo Ambohot from Letran can be viable collegiate PF prospects. From others, pwede si Brandon Rosser.

Who are these 6'6-6'8 prospects?

I suppose Fil Foreigners (just for lack of term) modified rules will allow players such as Taylor Stratham and Brandon Rosser. Etc.

Wow, I need to review who are the 2022 pba draftees

We already know some of them from Gilas. Go has played PF for Gilas (and he's drafted in the PBA). Baltazar as well, Tamayo too. Although, hoping the latter two would play abroad first.

Sa draft prospects, I think 6'7" Christian Fajarito and 6'7" Jeo Ambohot from Letran can be viable collegiate PF prospects. From others, pwede si Brandon Rosser.

Justin Arana and Henry Galinato could be good 6'6"-6'7" PF/Cs as well. Christian Buñag too, probably? Hope he plays PF as well.

[hmbopbaduwap]

Blatche wants to play here

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...A7Dzowu6i-IjOg

[IPC]

Blatche wants to play here

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...A7Dzowu6i-IjOg

This is kind of a sign. Time to remove the height limit for imports in the import conference, and revise the rules for naturalized players. I think naturalized players should now be included in the Fil-foreigner limit.

And for the love of God, PBA, please make it a two-conference format now at most. The EASL will be the third conference anyway (if they plan on complying and sending PBA ballclubs; champions and/or runners-up).

[Rodbi]

This is kind of a sign. Time to remove the height limit for imports in the import conference, and revise the rules for naturalized players. I think naturalized players should now be included in the Fil-foreigner limit.

And for the love of God, PBA, please make it a two-conference format now at most. The EASL will be the third conference anyway (if they plan on complying and sending PBA ballclubs; champions and/or runners-up).

I agree. Blatche is old and out-of-shape now anyways. If I were PBA, I'd allow the likes of him to join on the condition that the team that takes up his services will have a per-game roster structure like this:

1 World import (during reinforced conferences)
1 NP (by presidential decree/congress-senate approved)
3 Fil-foreigners (whether FIBA eligible or ineligible; other teams would have the benefit of 7-slot Fil-foreigner roster format should they not opt for an NP)
10 Locals (11 during AFC; will use current PBA classification)

Di kasi talaga mawawala ang "partida" mindset ng Pinoy fans eh. In the event naman that the NP becomes unavailable at the middle of the tournament or is DNP, his team can revert back to 7-Fil-foreign slot roster format.

[IPC]

Well, let's take a look on the current players in the PBA that are playing centers for their teams:

Alaska:

Adamos 6'7
Taha 6'7
Tratter 6'5
Eboña 6'5
Brondial 6'5

Ginebra:

Aguilar 6'9
Holmqvist 6'8
Standhardinger 6'7
Caperal 6'6

Blackwater:

Acuno 6'7
Nabong 6'6
Golla 6'5
Sena 6'5

Magnolia:

Reavis 6'8
Sangalang 6'6
Pascual 6'6

Meralco:

Almazan 6'8
Hugnatan 6'5
Baclao 6'5

NLEX:

Soyud 6'5
Miranda 6'5
Porter 6'5
McAloney 6'4
Quiñahan 6'4

Northport:

Slaughter 6'11
Rike 6'7
Malonzo 6'6

Phoenix:

Chua 6'5
Muyang 6'5

Rain or Shine:

Torres 6'6
Guinto 6'5
Belga 6'5

SMB:

Fajardo 6'10
Tautuaa 6'6

Terrafirma:

Laput 6'10
Faundo 6'5
Escoto 6'5
Gabayni 6'5

TNT:

Erram 6'8
Williams 6'6
Washington 6'6
Marcelo 6'5

Gilas Cadets pool of bigs:

Kai 7'3
Kouame 6'11
Chiu 6'10
Cariño 6'9
Baltazar 6'8
Rangel 6'8
Ong 6'7
Go 6'7

Indeed, Cadets should play in the import-laden conference so that our bigger Cadets can be challenged by stronger and bigger imports. If it is in All-Filipino, remember, just look at these players playing at center above. Hehe

Of the players in this list, a lot can play PF.

Alaska: Adamos, Tratter, Brondial
Ginebra: Aguilar, Standhardinger, Caperal
Blackwater: Nabong, Sena, Eboña
Magnolia: Sangalang, Escoto
MERALCO: Hugnatan
NLEX: Soyud, Miranda, Porter, Quiñahan
NorthPort: Rike, Malonzo (who's actually a wing)
RoS: Torres, Belga, Ponferrada
SMB: Tautuaa
TerraFirma: Pascual, Faundo
TNT: Erram, Williams, Marcelo

However, of the players I listed, only less than half of these guys who can play PF are 6'6" and above, according to the heights listed by Jackie Reaper. These are Erram (6'8"), Adamos (6'7"), Japeth (6'9"), Standhardinger (6'7"), Rike (6'7"), Caperal (6'6"), Nabong (6'6"), Sangalang (6'6"), Torres (6'6"), Tautuaa (6'6"), Pascual (6'6"), Kelly (6'6").

Hope we have more 6'6"-6'8" prospects who can play 4. Like I'd said, 6'7" Christian Fajarito, 6'7" Jeo Ambohot, 6'7" Brandon Rosser, and maybe 6'7" Justin Arana and 6'6" Henry Galinato might be good additions. Problem is, the guys mentioned could have an opportunity to play 4 only if they play next to Greg, June Mar, Kelly, or a taller import (someone 6'9"+).

[mathematicianrcg]

Put him in Blackwater this conference, atleast BWB can have a decent fight against opponents in the PBA

But but blackwater will lose their biggest asset to get additional money from their mother teams. Jk. Hajaha.
(Does Blaclwater even have their own pick?)

Blackwater and Terrafirma have no plans to compete in the pba. They are basically extra teams which are used in farming.