Headed towards parity

The large-scale movement of players in the offseason was a clear indication that PBA coaches are under pressure to produce at least serious title contenders if not championship teams. Nobody wants to settle in a comfort zone particularly as the competition becomes tougher in the coming conferences.

For the PBA, movement reflects dynamism. Fans welcome change because it creates unpredictability. New combinations mean new matchups. Foremost in PBA commissioner Chito Salud’s priorities is league parity where the balance of power tilts in favor of no one team. 

Only Air21 and Rain Or Shine weren’t involved in player shifts over the last few weeks. But nothing is cast in stone. The Commissioner’s Cup opens Friday and teams can negotiate trades until the end of the single round eliminations.

Air21 coach Franz Pumaren said he’s open to talks but it’s got to be quality for quality. “As of today, no trades but if there is an opportunity to improve the nucleus of the team, we might consider,” said Pumaren. “So far, we’re quite happy with the improvement and chemistry of the team.”

Pumaren confirmed that Mark Andaya and Pong Escobal, who played a combined seven games for the Express last conference, are no longer in the Air 21 lineup. He’s on the lookout for a dependable two-guard who can score. Is Mac-Mac Cardona in his wish list? During the recent Philippine Cup, the Express brought in Mike Cortez and Yousef Taha so it’s not as if Pumaren is adverse to making major moves.

What’s exciting about Air 21 is import Michael Dunigan, a 6-10 center from the University of Oregon. “He’s pretty solid,” said Pumaren. “He’s young (23), a very deceiving athlete. He has good rapport with the team and can really help up this conference.” Although only in his early 20s, Dunigan has made several stops in his globetrotting career, playing in Israel, Estonia, Italy and Australia. He suited up for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA preseason before joining the Perth Wildcats in the Australian league for four games, averaging 13.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots.

The Elasto Painters made it to the last two conference finals and should be a serious contender in the Commissioner’s Cup with 7-2 import Bruno Sundov, a seven-year NBA veteran from Split, Croatia. Assistant coach Caloy Garcia said Sundov won’t be a pushover. “Bruno can score and rebounding-wise, I think he’ll be okay,” said Garcia. “Actually, he plays well with anyone in our team. He tries to get everybody involved. The thing with the system of coach Yeng (Guiao) is that we rely on everyone.” With Sundov in the middle, playing minutes will be a problem for Beau Belga and J. R. Quinahan. Belga will probably be Sundov’s chief backup while Quinahan could straddle at four or five off the bench, too.

A change in Rain Or Shine’s cast is the absence of consultant Andy Jao whose contract expired last Jan. 31 and wasn’t renewed. Jao played a key role in the Painters’ surge in the last Governors and Philippine Cups. His partnership with Guiao goes back to their Red Bull days.

“I made paalam na to the players and staff,” said Jao who was informed he wouldn’t be back two days before his contract lapsed. “I thoroughly enjoyed being with coach Yeng again and glad there was some success. I’m grateful to our team owners (Raymund Yu and Terry Que) for the opportunity to work with a first-class franchise.”

Jao’s ability to break down a game and locate suitable imports will be missed. His track record of finding imports who fit in a team’s system is legendary. For sure, Jao will remain involved with the PBA in some way, perhaps as a TV analyst.

Global Port was the topnotcher in recruiting new faces during the offseason with six. And that’s not including new coach Junel Baculi. It’s a fresh start for the Batang Pier and team manager B. J. Manalo is hoping to make progress. From the free agent ranks, Baculi signed up Reed Juntilla who played for the Philippine Patriots in the last ABL season. Juntilla, 28, was never drafted in the PBA but has played for Red Bull, Air 21, Meralco and Barako Bull in four seasons. Manalo said Juntilla’s ability to play one or two is a major plus. From trades with Talk ‘N’ Text and Meralco, Baculi picked up Japeth Aguilar, Sol Mercado, Kelly Nabong, Yousif Aljamal and Jaypee Belencion. 

Global surrendered Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Rey Guevarra, Vic Manuel and Josh Vanlandingham in the process. The shake-up provides Baculi with a brand new nucleus. The prize catch is no doubt Mercado who led the recent Philippine Cup in scoring and assists. Baculi’s challenge is to get Mercado, Willie Miller and Gary David to play beautiful music together. If they’re in fine tune, Global Port should be humming all the way to the playoffs.

Barako Bull also underwent a facelift with the entry of Allein Maliksi, Jonas Villanueva, J. C. Intal and Jojo Duncil. The Energy Cola gave up Ronald Tubid, Leo Najorda and Lester Alvarez to bring in the foursome. Consultant Rajko Toroman still has Danny Seigle, Mick Pennisi, Sean Anthony, Doug Kramer, Josh Urbiztondo and Jason Ballesteros in the reinforced  lineup.

San Mig Coffee and Meralco took in three new hires each. The Mixers welcomed Alex Mallari, Najorda and Alvarez while Guevarra, Manuel and Vanlandingham joined the Bolts. Talk ‘N’ Text, Alaska, Barangay Ginebra and Petron moved in one player apiece. Al-Hussaini jumped to the Texters, Aldrech Ramos to Alaska, Mac Baracael to Ginebra and Tubid to Petron. From all indications, the trades were beneficial to all teams concerned as Salud stamped his imprint of fairness to the deals, meaning balance was upheld. Which teams got the most out of the swaps will be found out in the course of the next conference.