The offseason in the PBA heading to the Commissioner’s Cup became a bit zanier as 10 players from five teams found new homes in the league after the commissioner’s office approved four trades yesterday, the biggest player movement in league history as far as number of teams involved in a single day.
Petron sent this season’s third pick Alex Mallari and Jojo Duncil to Barako Bull for veteran Ronald Tubid.
Mallari was then packaged by Barako with Leo Najorda, Lester Alvarez and a 2014 first round pick and was sent to San Mig Coffee in exchange for former Finals MVP Jonas Villanueva, JC Intal and Cebuano rookie forward Aldrech Ramos.
Ramos also did not stay too long with Barako Bull as he was traded to Alaska for Mac Baracael, who was then shipped to Barangay Ginebra in exchange for former PBA D-League MVP Allein Maliksi.
Barako Bull now ends up with a stronger and younger squad with the acquisition of Intal, Villanueva, Duncil and Maliksi. San Mig also added more youth with Mallari and Alvarez and toughness with Najorda.
The energetic Tubid, meanwhile, hopes to inject some life into the Petron Blaze Boosters, who had a dismal finish last conference despite having one of the most talented lineups on paper.
Ramos will join fellow Cebuano Dondon Hontiveros at the Alaska side that looks promising with the presence of Calvin Abueva.
Baracael, on the other hand, is expected to add size down low at the Ginebra camp. /with pba.ph