Here's my final update for 2013 PBA Commissioner's Cup Imports which is set to kick-off on Friday, February 8, 2013 where San Mig Coffee is set to defend its Commissioner's Cup crown.
1. Global Port Batang Pier - Justin Williams
2. Talk and Text Tropang Texters - Keith Benson
3. Air 21 Express - Michael Dunnigan
4. San Mig Coffee Mixers - Matt Rogers
5. Petron Blaze Boosters - Renaldo Balkman
6. Ginebra San Miguel - Herbert Hill
7. Barako Bull Energy Cola - Evan Brock
8. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - Bruno Sundov
9. Meralco Bolts - Eric Dawson
10. Alaska Aces - Robert Dozier
The never ending chase for Ronald Tubid (currently playing for Barako Bull Energy Cola) by Petron Blaze Boosters does not stop even if the direct swap between him and Joseph Yeo was shelved.
This post is to update about the trade that is considered to be a blockbuster deal involving 5 teams and 10 players, with Petron getting Tubid and parting ways with Mallari and Duncil.
The trade is as complex at it can get, here is a timeline courtesy of GMANEWS.TV
An interview in Spin.PH saw a very grateful Joseph Yeo when he was informed that the trade involving him and Ronald Tubid would be shelved and he would be staying with Petron.
According to Joseph, there has been a sense of comfortability with Petron as he has been with the team for 3 years, his longest tenure to his team in the PBA.
For now, Joseph and Ronald (of Barako Bull Energy Cola) can stay with their respective teams as a three team 6 man swap is on the works not involving them.
Just as Alex Mallari have been looking forward to a better direction when he learned he would be traded to Barako Bull, things seem would not go his way as Petron Blaze Boosters would not let go of their 3rd Overall Draft Pick.
Mallari has been added in the package that would have send him in Barako along with Joseph Yeo for Ronald Tubid and one 1st Round Draft Pick.
Barako Bull Energy Cola would be handled in the 2nd Conference by Rajko Toroman, former Petron consultant who influenced the Petron team to pick Mallari 3rd in the draft.
Just as Philippine Cup finals tend to heat up (as of presstime TNT leads 1-0), the 8 teams out for contention for the title have made changes to their teams to prepare for the first import laden conference set on February 8, 2013
COACHING CHANGES:
Junel Baculi, as expected will now be leading the charge in the bench for Global Port Batang Pier
As expected after his departure with Barako Bull Energy, Junel Baculi would be heading to the Global Port Batang Pier squad for the Commissioner's Cup. The Mikee Romero squad didn't place well in its first conference at 1 - 13 and Coach Junel hopes to change all that. Global Port would still be bannered by Gar David and Willie Miller.
Former national team head coach Rajko Toroman is now with Barako Bull Energy
After the co-coaching experiment with Petron Blaze Boosters didn't work (which lead to naming Olsen Racela as the sole head coach), Rajko Toroman went out of the spotlight for the SMC teams. He however has continuously expressed his desire to coach - which probably lead to the 2 year deal with Barako Bull Energy. It is a welcome addition for the team, however with one call in mind - they wish Coach Rajko will go easy on its aging players.
Probably the most dramatic coaching change, Alfrancis Chua takes over head coaching duties for Ginebra, Siot demoted to lead assistant
The league's most popular team has not made it to the finals for a long time and a coaching change was deemed by the management necessary for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to rise - now we would see Alfrancis Chua calling the shots for Ginebra, and Siot again was "demoted" to lead assistant. Whatever this change would bring, the Barangay Ginebra faithfuls would hope that it would bring their team back to the promise land.
PBA TRADES [to be updated]
CONFIRMED IMPORTS:
1. Petron Blaze - Renaldo Balkman
2. Air 21 Express - Michael Dunnigan
3. Barako Bull Energy Cola - Evan Brock
4. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - Bruno Sundov
5. Global Port Batang Pier - Justin Williams
6. Alaska Aces -
7. San Mig Coffee Mixers -
8. Talk and Text Tropang Texters -
9. Meralco Bolts - Eric Dawson
10. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel - Herbert Hill
[Photos: Google Images - all rights credited to the owners]
[3rd Update] We're not that excited (yeah) and new year has not happened yet but we're here giving you the updates fresh as we know it on the teams and their imports for the upcoming PBA Commissioner's Cup which would start on February 8.
Ex-NBA player Renaldo Balkman is expected to banner Petron Blaze Boosters' Commissioner's Cup Tourney
1) Petron Blaze - RENALDO BALKMAN
Renaldo Balkman is the 20th Overall Pick of the New York Knicks in 2006. The 28-year-old moved to the Denver Nuggets in the 2008-2010 season before being reacquired by the Knicks in the 2010-2011 season. He is listed as 6-8 and was described by SMC Sports Director Noli Eala as "solid worker, hard nose defender and energy guy" for the Boosters.
2) Ginebra - HERBERT HILL
The 6-10 Hill is expected to help in the post-presence of Ginebra, who bowed out of contention in the PBA Philippine Cup. He was second round at 55th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2007 draft before he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
3) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - BRUNO SUNDOV
The 7-3 import Bruno Sundov is Rain or Shine's help for Commissioner's Cup. The Croatian caught the interest of other teams but landed into Rain or Shine and is considered by ROS Team Manager Boy Lapid as the perfect fit to Coach Yeng's system as they need a role player and someone who can shoot threes.
They also enjoy the opportunity of having Jamelle Cornley in town (former import of ROS during the last Governors Cup) to prepare Sundov. Jamelle chose to remain to the Philippines to recuperate from his ACL injury.
4) Global Port Batang Pier - JUSTIN WILLIAMS
Justin Williams is a PF/C who played for 2 NBA teams (Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets). He last played for NBA D-League for the Los Angeles D-Fenders. He would banner the Commissioner's Cup campaign of Global Port Batang Pier.
5. SAN MIG COFFEE MIXERS - Matt Rogers
6. MERALCO BOLTS - Eric Dawson
7. TALK and TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS - Keith Benson
8. AIR 21 EXPRESS - Michael Dunnigan
9. ALASKA ACES - Robert Dozier
10. BARAKO BULL ENERGY -Evan Brock
[This is the final list of imports - Admin's Note]
4:42 PM
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