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

[engwan]

Mbenga not yet in town, but will be tonight.

Anybody know what he's doing here?

Is he going to play in this conference? If so, which import will be replaced?

EDIT: I guess it's confirmed. Barako getting Mbenga

http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/barako-bull-pulls-off-coup-with-acquisition-of-former-laker-mbenga

[all_about]

I think its late for Barako to change import and before i read that one of Mbenga demands is to be playing in a championship caliber team.

Barako has 3 more games left on their schedule. Now they have to win those all 3 for a chance to play in the playoffs. One lose would mean the end for them this conference.

[engwan]

Barako has 3 more games left on their schedule. Now they have to win those all 3 for a chance to play in the playoffs. One lose would mean the end for them this conference.

Not really. I don't understand why the commentators are saying they need to sweep their last 3 games. They are just one game behind Air21 and SanMig Coffee. And 1.5 games behind TNT, Meralco and Ginebra.

Though if they sweep their last 3 games, they are assured of at least a playoff for 8th place. They will be 7-7 then, and Air21 (5-6) will go against SMC (5-6) on April 10 so one of them will have at least 7 losses.

[Jordan Bruiseter]

For entertainment's sake, Chiqui Reyes should cover Barako's next games with their mew import..."MBENGA!"

Can't wait for April 12, where we will likely see Beau Mbenga go up against DJ Belga...





...I need my coffee

[Silent Killer]

http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/its-not-about-the-contract-says-mbenga-as-he-agrees-to-reasonable-deal-with-barako-bull#.UVvPpeBJ--Y.twitter

Its not about the contract says Mbenga as he agrees to reasonable deal with Barako Bull

DJ Mbenga said it was the chance to get a taste of Philippine basketball - and not about anything else - that convinced him to accept the chance to play for Barako Bull in the PBA.

“They told me about a local Philippine team (which) needs somebody like me. The challenge is there, and told me what I can expect. I saw it as a challenge, man, so I came here, to give my best and just play and enjoy basketball … and make something happen (for Barako Bull)," Mbenga said.

The 32-year-old Congolese-Belgian arrived on Tuesday afternoon and immediately buckled down to work in a closed-door conditioning session, sweating it out for one hour under the watchful eyes of Barako Bull coach Bong Ramos and consultant Rajko Toroman.

Here's the video of Mbenga's first practice session with Barako Bull.



There were reports that the seven-footer has not played competitively for the past six months but Mbenga was quick to dispel fears he is way off his game shape, assuring that he will be in tip-top condition when he makes his debut against Petron on Sunday.



“I am professional, I know what to do to get myself back in shape,” Mbenga guaranteed.

Mbenga said even the hot weather doesn't pose a problem for him, saying: "“I am sweating a lot, (but) I am an African, so you should know I’m used to this climate."

Three other teams - Alaska, Barangay Ginebra, and Globlaport - had tried but failed to sign the eight-year NBA veteran for the Commissioner's Cup reportedly because of his steep asking price, but Mbenga insisted he chose Barako Bull not because of the contract it offered.

“I chose Barako Bull because it has a challenge, they need to make the playoffs, so that’s something I want to do. And it came across like I want to go somewhere, just to play. It’s not about the contract. It’s about playing and enjoying basketball and make something happen," he said.

Even Energy Cola team manager Raffy Casyao bared to Spin.ph that the George Chua-owned franchise signed Mbenga to a "reasonable deal" after about a week of negotiations with Mbenga’s handlers.

Casyao bared it was the European agent of the two-time NBA champion cager that initiated the negotiations.

“Actually, I contacted our import agent, kasi we wanted to address our skid, six-game losing streak na eh,” said Casyao. “When we heard his name, our ‘thought bulb’ suddenly flashed."

"And then all of a sudden, we were already agreeing on a very reasonable deal,” he added.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @snowbadua

[Silent Killer]

http://pba.inquirer.net/23049/mga-nilulutong-rigodon

MGA NILULUTONG RIGODON
By SNOW BADUA
3:50 pm | Sunday, April 14th, 2013

Habang palapit na ang pagsasara ng Commissioner’s cup, hindi maiaalis na karamihan sa mga teams, lalo na yung mga hindi pinalad na magpunyagi, ay nagpaplano na para sa susunod na kumperensya.

At natural lamang sa lahat ng koponan, kahit anong sport pa yan, na sumuling sa pakikipagpalitan ng tao (o pyesa) bilang unang hakbang sa asam na pagpapalakas ng kampanya.

Dahil sa August 14 pa ang opening ng next Governors’ Cup, siguradong sasamantalahin ng iba’t ibang teams ang trading block para makapag regroup.

Syempre nga naman, mas mahaba ang magiging preparasyon at panahon para magkakilanlan ang kanilang mga manlalaro.

Sa ngayon ay may isang team na aming natunugan dito sa FrostByte ang umano’y busy nang bumabalangkas ng kanilang plano.

Katunayan, may iniispatan na umano ang koponan na ito na dalawang prospects bilang import.

At dahil sa susunod na linggo pa magpupulong ang kanilang management, hayaan niyo munang itago natin kung aling team ito.

Sa ganitong paraan, mas mailalahad ko sa inyo ang binubuo nilang plano. Saka minsan mas exciting yung napapaisip ka di ba?

Ayon sa aming kuliglig, parehong balik-import ang inaasinta ng team na ito. Dahil magiging obvious, isa lang ang papangalanan ko muna. Si Nate Brumfield (dating sa Barangay Ginebra) at yung isa nakasama nila noong 2012 Commissioner’s Cup.

Player swap? Syempre, meron sila niyan.

Sa ngayon ay inaalok umano ang team na ito ng isang nangangapuhap rin na koponan ng one-on-one trade.

Maaring involved dito ay isang streak shooting rookie na matangkad pero lumalaro ng dos at tres, at ang kapalit ay isang big man na dating JRU Heavy Bomber.

Sa ngayon ay mukhang wala pang interes ang nililigawang team, dahil may inaasinta silang dalawang marquee big men mula sa dalawang higanteng koponan na kanilang kinakausap ngayon.

Bale, dalawang pares pa ng trade negotiation ang pinagdaraanan ng aligagang team na ito na ang may-ari ay talagang tanyag sa pagiging sanay sa panalo.

Ang unang transaksyon na inaareglo ay para di umano sa kanilang high scoring guard na lumalaro sa national team.

Kausap ang isang koponang salat ngayon sa isang go-to-guy kapag crunch time, sinasabing willing na nilang pakawalan ang magilas na star kapalit ng dalawang players – isang warrior na mataas lumipad at isang mamamana.

Ang ikalawang trade na pilit isinasakatuparan ng grupong ito ay ang pagkuha sa big man na dati nang napabalitang papunta na sa kanila kasama ang isang high scoring guard na injured rin ngayon.


trans: Gary david
James Sena
KG canaleta
Sol Mercado

Are the players involve in this trade scenario

[13wowowee]

shooting rookie na matangkad pero lumalaro ng dos at tres, at ang kapalit ay isang big man na dating JRU Heavy Bomber.
-deutchman to air21, sena to global port?

Kausap ang isang koponang salat ngayon sa isang go-to-guy kapag crunch time, sinasabing willing na nilang pakawalan ang magilas na star kapalit ng dalawang players – isang warrior na mataas lumipad at isang mamamana.
gary david -- e.espiritu and mamaril? o kg canaleta and arboleda kc mama' na


Ang ikalawang trade na pilit isinasakatuparan ng grupong ito ay ang pagkuha sa big man na dati nang napabalitang papunta na sa kanila kasama ang isang high scoring guard na injured rin ngayon.
japeth and sol papunta san?

[el scorcho]

mamamana - tagalog for archer

shooting rookie na matangkad pero lumalaro ng dos at tres, at ang kapalit ay isang big man na dating JRU Heavy Bomber.
-deutchman to air21, sena to global port?

Kausap ang isang koponang salat ngayon sa isang go-to-guy kapag crunch time, sinasabing willing na nilang pakawalan ang magilas na star kapalit ng dalawang players – isang warrior na mataas lumipad at isang mamamana.
gary david -- e.espiritu and mamaril? o kg canaleta and arboleda kc mama' na


Ang ikalawang trade na pilit isinasakatuparan ng grupong ito ay ang pagkuha sa big man na dati nang napabalitang papunta na sa kanila kasama ang isang high scoring guard na injured rin ngayon.
japeth and sol papunta san?

[Epithetless]

isang streak shooting rookie na matangkad pero lumalaro ng dos at tres, at ang kapalit ay isang big man na dating JRU Heavy Bomber.
-Deutschman for James Sena

high scoring guard na lumalaro sa national team... kapalit ng dalawang players – isang warrior na mataas lumipad at isang mamamana.
-David for Canaleta and Ritualo (or Atkins? probably not Cortez)

Ang ikalawang trade na pilit isinasakatuparan ng grupong ito ay ang pagkuha sa big man na dati nang napabalitang papunta na sa kanila kasama ang isang high scoring guard na injured rin ngayon.
- I think this a reference to the botched fourway bigman swap earlier this year, around the time they acquired Sol, that would have sent JayR Reyes to GlobalPort (Jap to BGK, Rabeh to TNT & Kerby to Meralco), so it seems GlobalPort is eager to reunite Reyes with former teammate Sol (injured scorer).

[yapster]

http://pba.inquirer.net/23049/mga-nilulutong-rigodon

MGA NILULUTONG RIGODON
By SNOW BADUA
3:50 pm | Sunday, April 14th, 2013

Habang palapit na ang pagsasara ng Commissioner’s cup, hindi maiaalis na karamihan sa mga teams, lalo na yung mga hindi pinalad na magpunyagi, ay nagpaplano na para sa susunod na kumperensya.

At natural lamang sa lahat ng koponan, kahit anong sport pa yan, na sumuling sa pakikipagpalitan ng tao (o pyesa) bilang unang hakbang sa asam na pagpapalakas ng kampanya.

Dahil sa August 14 pa ang opening ng next Governors’ Cup, siguradong sasamantalahin ng iba’t ibang teams ang trading block para makapag regroup.

Syempre nga naman, mas mahaba ang magiging preparasyon at panahon para magkakilanlan ang kanilang mga manlalaro.

Sa ngayon ay may isang team na aming natunugan dito sa FrostByte ang umano’y busy nang bumabalangkas ng kanilang plano.

Katunayan, may iniispatan na umano ang koponan na ito na dalawang prospects bilang import.

At dahil sa susunod na linggo pa magpupulong ang kanilang management, hayaan niyo munang itago natin kung aling team ito.

Sa ganitong paraan, mas mailalahad ko sa inyo ang binubuo nilang plano. Saka minsan mas exciting yung napapaisip ka di ba?

Ayon sa aming kuliglig, parehong balik-import ang inaasinta ng team na ito. Dahil magiging obvious, isa lang ang papangalanan ko muna. Si Nate Brumfield (dating sa Barangay Ginebra) at yung isa nakasama nila noong 2012 Commissioner’s Cup.

Player swap? Syempre, meron sila niyan.

Sa ngayon ay inaalok umano ang team na ito ng isang nangangapuhap rin na koponan ng one-on-one trade.

Maaring involved dito ay isang streak shooting rookie na matangkad pero lumalaro ng dos at tres, at ang kapalit ay isang big man na dating JRU Heavy Bomber.

Sa ngayon ay mukhang wala pang interes ang nililigawang team, dahil may inaasinta silang dalawang marquee big men mula sa dalawang higanteng koponan na kanilang kinakausap ngayon.

Bale, dalawang pares pa ng trade negotiation ang pinagdaraanan ng aligagang team na ito na ang may-ari ay talagang tanyag sa pagiging sanay sa panalo.

Ang unang transaksyon na inaareglo ay para di umano sa kanilang high scoring guard na lumalaro sa national team.

Kausap ang isang koponang salat ngayon sa isang go-to-guy kapag crunch time, sinasabing willing na nilang pakawalan ang magilas na star kapalit ng dalawang players – isang warrior na mataas lumipad at isang mamamana.

Ang ikalawang trade na pilit isinasakatuparan ng grupong ito ay ang pagkuha sa big man na dati nang napabalitang papunta na sa kanila kasama ang isang high scoring guard na injured rin ngayon.


trans: Gary david
James Sena
KG canaleta
Sol Mercado

Are the players involve in this trade scenario

Remember what I said earlier about the game between Barako and Ginebra and some players doing job for Ginebra. Well, Urbiztondo goes to Ginbra. Thank you.

[Jordan Bruiseter]

high scoring guard na lumalaro sa national team... kapalit ng dalawang players – isang warrior na mataas lumipad at isang mamamana.
-David for Canaleta...

Interesting how this rumor would affect KG in the tough QF matchup against Alaska.

Looking at it deeper though, this rumor comes strangely coincidental with Coach Franz's public high praises for his athletic forward. Might it be Pumaren's way of calming Niño's potential anxiety? Or his gentle way of telling top management to keep off the planned trade...management who's apparently traded away players in the past without the coach's knowledge?

[silverwing]

Ginebra set to acquire Josh Urbiztondo from ousted Barako for Keith Jensen, draft pick

Despite Barako Bull’s ouster from playoff contention, Josh Urbiztondo’s Commissioner’s Cup will go on.

The hotshot point guard is set to join playoff-bound Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in a deal closed Wednesday, the final day of the tournament’s elimination round.

Urbiztondo, who confirmed the news to InterAKTV, has had a banner Commissioner’s Cup, averaging 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists for the tournament. But he failed to lead his team to the playoffs, as Barako Bull finished ninth despite a promising start.

Ginebra will give up rookie forward Keith Jensen, who was selected eighth overall in the 2012 draft but has been in and out of the Gin Kings’ rotation. The Gin Kings will also send a second round pick in the deal.

Barako Bull acquired Urbiztondo from San Mig Coffee prior to the season for a steep price — a first round pick that originally belonged to the Powerade franchise that has since been purchased by GlobalPort. With the Batang Pier stumbling to the league’s worst record in the first two conferences this season, that pick would be very valuable for the upcoming rookie draft.

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/ginebra-set-to-acquire-josh-urbiztondo-from-ousted-barako-for-keith-jensen-draft-pick

[balbi]

Now that's a surprising trade. Ginebra now has legit outside threat in urbiztondo.

[Jay P. Mercado]

Urbiztondo is actually a perfect fit for a free-wheeling offensive team. Which was why I found it difficult how he was able to earn Tim Cone's trust at B-Meg (now San Mig) before.

Some things noteworthy about this trade:

1. What will Barako do with Jensen? They've got several 3, 4 and 5's players already. These include: Mick Pennisi, Rico Villanueva, Danny Seigle, Dave Marcelo, Don Allado, Jason Ballesteros, Doug Kramer, Sean Anthony, JC Intal and Allein Maliksi. With the addition of Jensen, that's 10 players standing at least 6'4.

2. Rajko Toroman relied heavily on Urbiztondo at the PG position, averaging at least 35 minutes per game. His other PG, Jonas Villanueva, will be coming from an injury but he'll probably be Barako's starting court general. This also means Emman Monfort will be given more playing time and they're hoping that Monfort can replicate the same success story that Olsen Racela had starting in 1996 under Ron Jacobs.

3. Urbiztondo will fit snugly in Al Chua's scheme of things. He's a shoot first, pass later guard who will never be afraid to take shots without conscience. How Urbiztondo can work with Mark Caguioa and LA Tenorio would be at the top of the mind of Chua. Ginebra fans would either love or hate him - I never liked Urbiztondo as a PG and I don't I think I'll ever like him unless he learns to feed his teammates more.

4. Will this mean the end for Jayjay Helterbrand? Helterbrand has been the scourge of Ginebra fans lately, being pilloried because he allegedly can't cope with the PBA game anymore. Is he retiring and Urbiztondo ready to take his place?

5. Urbiztondo playing for Ginebra will add excitement...and agony...for Ginebra fans. Ginebra creates its excitement through several facets - the three point shot being a primary weapon. Urbiztondo will not hesitate to take the open three - heck, he won't hesitate to take a guarded three at that.

6. Ginebra has been struggling because of the absence of big men. They only have a few now, quite opposite to Barako's roster. Instead of giving Jensen enough playing time to continue proving his worth, they opted for another small guy to provide points. Will Jay Washington or Japeth Aguilar find their way at the Ginebra bench soon?

Bottomline, I can't see the logic behind this trade unless this is part of a mid to long term plan. While Urbiztondo may be a good fit for the team's plays, he won't be the answer to Ginebra's woes that they've had in the past couple of seasons.

[Cryotek]

Now that's a surprising trade. Ginebra now has legit outside threat in urbiztondo.

And goodluck to Ginebra in the quarters, I hope they'll not battle RoSE(w/ a lot of big guards) this early!