As the Fiesta Conference gets near, the Magnolia Beverage Masters engaged in several trade deals that sent some of their stars, notably those who came from Ateneo to other teams in exchange for role players.
Were these good moves by the management? Let our resident Magnolia Beverage Masters insider Than analyze the deals for us.
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Source: Than of PBA Forum
Coach Siot wanted to add some Role/Defensive players.
Its a "One step backward, Two steps forward" for the team!
You released some star players, but you may play your other star players more & re-establish their feel for the game which was lost last conference.
Lets break it down:
Last conference, because of so many big stars in the team, "nag iinit pa lang" ang isang player, kelanagn mo ng ilabas because you still have some stars you need to give playing time also. Then ganun din ang rotation, "nag iinit palang yung bagong pasok, kelangan mo na ulit ilabas because you have another stars waiting to come in".
Basically, hindi ma maximize yung talent ng alam naman nating very talented players ng team because of so limited playing time na paghahatian pa nila.
Eveybody is a star at their own right. Its hard for the coaching staff to transform them to accept a different roll on what they've been brought about when they entered the PBA.
Only Olsen Racela, Danny Ildefonso & Hontiveros are willing to accept a different roles just to accomodate some of their superstar newcomers.
So, changes have to be made. But owning 3 teams in the league doesnt make changing as easy as anybody thought of.
SMC doesnt act or cannot act solely as independent team. They have to think of their other sister teams first in any trade plans & see how they would help each other by their trade deals.
Usually, they dont want their marquee players to go anywhere other than their sister teams.
Only those less heralded or some whom they thought could be easily replaced where being dealt outside SMC teams.
Now with regards to my opinion on the MBM-Alaska trade, its a good trade for Alaska.
Why, they got young talent who can almost approximate what Cortez does with them. But what a plus factor they acquired in Larry Fonacier! He will be the next important player of Alaska.
As with MBM, nothing! Parang wala lang because LA & Cortez would cancel each other out. Hindi rin kawalan si Larry in a sense that he wasnt a factor naman sa MBM last conference because of minimal playing time brought about by having 2 more players ahead of him in his position.
Ken Bono at first i thought will be insignifacant with this team. But, by dealing Willie Wilson, i think Ken will play more & assume the role of Wilson with the team. Wilson & Bono is like the second coming of what happened to Abuda & Belasco years back.
Bono is an upgrade of Wilson just like Belasco does with Abuda when he came to the team from Pop Cola.
Wilson, with his limited height, playing a power forwards position & trapped in the Small forwards body, cannot really guard an opposing teams top small forwards. He became effective last year on garbage points because opposing teams usually left him open because the concentration of their defense is with the other 4 more heralded superstars of MBM on the floor.
Now, Bono is an upgrade in height & heft. What he must learn is how to defend well on his natural Power Forward position. He can also shoot from the perimeter.
Mike Cortez? Well, i hope he'll do an Asi on this team! What i mean is, when TNT traded Asi, a lot of people thought thats an OK trade because judging from Asi's last playing years with TNT, parang wala na siyang gana! Nag sawa na or complacent na sa laro niya. Wala ng challenge for him. Sometimes change in scenery will change a players motivation!
Thats what i saw on that Asi trade & look how he transformed 100%. Ganadong ganado to prove something!
That is what Cortez should do or will do with his new team! He will prove to everyone that he is great PG as being thought of him when he entered the league!
MBM wants to win now while also looking at the welfare of their sister teams especially PF.
Contrary to what others think, PF had the upper hand on the Enrico trade. Its not just players per players but it also has that plus factor: Marketability!
With the Health Problem of Rommel, SMC sacrificed MBMs supposed to be Danny Ildefonso of the future in Enrico Villanueva just as so not let their other teams left behind this coming conference! Well...it needs to be seen in actual PBA games. SMC just made that move for their other teams but its up to the player & coaching staff to transform that ingredient into Championships!
How many promising young center do we have in the league? You can just count it with 1 hand.
The Tolomia acquisition is like an insurance policy in case either Hontiveros, Tugade or Calaguio got injured. He is a talent waiting to explode. That player doesnt carre on how you will use him.
Just give him instructions & little playing time to show what he can do!Remember Mike Mustre?
Ginebra gained what they lost when Hatfield left! A bruiser & doesnt carre attitude in hustle or defense. He will compliment the style of Ronald Tubid! Of course he cannot duplicate what the Hatman can do every game but at least they got the nearest clone!
While only losing Macapagal whom i think is playing redundant position with Ginebra!
To sum it all, all these trade movements means one thing, the fans will be back in the PBA & excitement is Back!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Than's Post Trade Analysis: An Assessment of Magnolia Beverage Masters Recent Trade Deals
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Nasal Cancer Sidelines Rommel Adducul: Giants Snare Villanueva, Magnolia Beverage Masters Gets Pingris
Personally, I love this move by the team's management. The team is in dire need of a defensive role player and Marc Pingris fits this position. Too bad Enrico Villanueva have to go.
It's not a secret what Pingris brings on the hardcourt. Known for his hard-nosed defense, monster rebounding, intimidating shotblocking, hussle plays, and yes, he can provide offensive firepower too.
What more can you ask for from this player? Hmmm... A championship?
The PBA forum has also rumors of another trade being cooked up at this point in time for our team. Don't miss this exciting upcoming trade as it will probably involve another marquee versatile player. This is probably the last piece of the puzzle for the new-look Magnolia Beverage Masters this coming conference.
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Nasal Cancer Sidelines Rommel Adducul: Giants Snare Villanueva, Magnolia Beverage Masters Gets Pingris
By Noli Cortez, Malaya Online
March 27, 2008
A SERIOUS illness that will sideline center Romel Adducul for the Smart PBA Fiesta Cup has forced Purefoods to make a harsh decision.
Adducul, who turns 32 on April 21, was reportedly recently diagnosed suffering cancer in his nasal or throat area that will require a long treatment, leaving the Giants with no option but to give up star forward Marc Pingris for Magnolia Beverage Masters center Enrico Villanueva.
At least two other teams and as many players were also part of the trade that has been confirmed by at least one official of a squad involved in the deal.
As of press time last night, knowledgeable sources told Malaya the trades are "done" and merely need to be submitted to the PBA for approval.
Adducul could not be contacted for comment yesterday, but his long-time agent-manager, Ed Ponceja dismissed the illness as "nothing to worry about."
"Wala ‘yan. Gagaling din si Romel. Babalik siya sa finals if ever pumasok ang team niya," said Ponceja.
A usually reliable source said the illness is actually a cancer in Adducul’s nasal or pharynx area that is "curable."
Adducul’s malady, known as nasopharyngeal cancer, afflicts the area behind the nose and the back of the throat, which is the hollow tube at the upper part of the throat that starts behind the nose and runs down to the neck to become part of the esophagus or the tube that goes to the stomach. It could be treated through surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Also not available for comment were Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio and Magnolia Beverage Masters counterpart Siot Tanquingcen, whose teams were involved in the trade along with Coca-Cola and Ginebra.
Purefoods and Magnolia Beverage Masters kick off their Fiesta campaign against each other on April 2.
Under the terms of the trade, Villanueva and Willy Wilson were sent by Magnolia Beverage Masters to Coke in exchange for Chester Tolomia and a future draftt pick. The Tigers then sent Villanueva to Purefoods for Pin-gris and Wilson to Ginebra for shooter Mark Macapagal. The Tigers traded Pingris to Magnolia Beverage Masters for Tolomia and the draftt pick.
It should be a sad parting of ways for Purefoods and Pingris.
The 6-foot-4 leaper and shot blocker fully blossomed under Gregorio since he was acquired from Air21 before the 2005-06 season, where he was adjudged Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP of the Philippine Cup and a Second Mythical Team member.
Pingris, 26, normed 9.6 points on 57.84 percent field shooting, 9.7 rebounds and 1.0 block per game in 32 contests in this year’s season-opening Philippine Cup.
Adducul was also a vital cog to Purefoods’ surge after averaging 6.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 0.8 blocks a game.
It was the latest in a series of trades that curiously prominently figured Coke and Magnolia Beverage Masters.
The Beverage Masters earlier acquired Mike Cortez and Kenneth Bono from Alaska for Larry Fonacier and LA Tenorio.
The Tigers, who also made a deal with Welcoat after acquiring Nic Belasco for Mark Isip, strengthened their backcourt with the addition of Macapagal plus a future second round pick in the draftt.
Ginebra salvaged Wilson, an undersized power forward who has managed to survive in the league with good work ethics and tough defensive skills.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Tenorio, Fonacier Traded to Alaska for Mike Cortez, Ken Bono
The much-awaited trade of Larry Fonacier has now materialized. But hold your breath, he's not going to Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants as some of you are expecting. Google searches for "Fonacier to be traded to Purefoods" these past few days landing on this site expected him to be traded to Purefoods. Sorry folks, he's not meant to be in that team.
My comments on the trade:
1. Alaska gets younger with the acquisition of LA and Fonacier.
2. MBM gets an experienced pointguard in Cortez. I wonder why they get Bono.
I suspect he will be traded again to another team in exchange for a defensive player. MBM doesn't need another scorer in Bono.
This seems to be just the first salvo for more trades that will happen in the next few days. As it turns out, the all-star lineup of Magnolia Beverage Masters does not work out well in the defense department placing near the bottom of the 10 PBA teams in the All FIlipino Cup.
Please do check out this site once in a while as more trades seems to be coming in the next few days. Be the first one to scoop for these hot news!
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Source: alaskaaces.com.ph
The Alaska Aces received a pair of former Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles from the Magnolia Beverage Masters in point guard Lewis Alfred (LA) Tenorio and Larry Alexander Fonacier in exchange for Mike Cortez and rookie big man Ken Bono.
The 5-foot-8 Tenorio, 22, played five seasons with Ateneo from where he graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in 2006 and joined the Philippine Basketball Association in the same year as the 4th pick in the Draftt.
The 6-foot-1 Fonacier, 24, was drafted 14th overall by the Red Bull Barakos in the 2005 PBA Draftt but bucked the odds to win the Rookie of the Year award.
The two were members of the Ateneo team which won the championship of the 2002 Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines basketball tournament.
Both Alaska and Magnolia Beverage Masters will benefit from the trade according to Alaska General Manager Joaqui Trillo.
We get a pure point guard in LA (Tenorio), said Trillo. We expect him to excel especially in the triangle offense of coach Tim Cone. Larry (Fonacier) gives us help at the two spot where he will back up Jeff (Cariaso). The two players will definitely help Alaska a lot.
Trillo said the Beverage Masters also got good players in the former Alaska Aces in return.
Of course Mike (Cortez) is also a good player who has played well for Alaska all these years, said Trillo. And Ken (Bono) has the potential to become a star in the PBA. So Magnolia Beverage Masters also gained a lot from this trade. We wish Mike and Ken all the best with their new team.
Tenorio and Fonacier are reunited with their former Ateneo coach Joel Banal who handled the reins of the star-studded 2002 UAAP champion team.
Eight members of the 2002 Ateneo champion team - Enrico Villanueva (Magnolia Beverage Masters), Rich Alvarez (Red Bull), Wesley Gonzales (Magnolia Beverage Masters), Paolo Bugia (Red Bull), JC Intal (Air21), Doug Kramer (Air21), Tenorio and Fonacier - eventually landed in the PBA.
Tenorio attended high school at San Beda College where he was coached by the venerable Ato Badolato.
Tenorio joined Ateneo in 2001 and made an immediate impact as a rookie leading his team to the finals where they lost to bitter rival De La Salle University. In 2002 the Blue Eagles won the UAAP title. They advanced to the UAAP championship for the third straight year in 2003 but lost to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws. Continue reading...
Saturday, March 15, 2008
TESTED VET FOR MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS, BIG-TIME SCORER FOR PUREFOODS: 6-11 Watkins and 6-10 Rice Latest Signees for Fiesta Conference
Magnolia Beverage Masters got a good reinforcement in Jameel Watkins. It's great that we were able to get him despite Red Bull's competition.
His previous stint in the PBA proved that he was a good defender - an element that the basketball team sorely needs. He will be a great addition as the team works hard on improving its defense for the next conference.
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TESTED VET FOR MAGNOLIA BEVERAGE MASTERS, BIG-TIME SCORER FOR PUREFOODS:
6-11 Watkins and 6-10 Rice Latest Signees for Fiesta Conference
Source: PBA.ph
Veteran PBA import Jameel Watkins and former top NBA prospect Darius Lashaun Rice signed up with Magnolia Beverage Masters and Purefoods, respectively, Saturday, two weeks before the Smart Fiesta Cup reels off with a road game in Panabo, Davao del Norte.
Magnolia Beverage Masters beat Red Bull in their tug-o-war for the services of Watkins while Purefoods was able to convince Rice to play for the team after his stint in the Puerto Rican league.
“We’d been in contact with Watkins’ agent since February. Hindi lang pumirma agad dahil buntis yung asawa. Finally, he agreed to play for us when his wife gave birth Friday,” said Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen.
Tanquingcen is hopeful the former Shell import provides them help in departments where they fared badly last conference.
“Ang hina ng depensa namin noong All-Filipino. Doon ko inaasahan trumabaho ng husto si Watkins,” said Tanquingcen of Watkins – good for 27.3 points, 51.2 percent shooting, 18.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.8 blocks a game for Shell in 2005.
Red Bull was also interested on the services of Watkins. Beaten to the draw by the Beverage Masters, the Barakos were left as the only team still in search of an import with the tourney already about to start.
Others imports already signed are Bobby Burries and Jason Dixon of Coca-Cola, Cory Santee and Jason Keep of Welcoat, Rahshon Turner of Ginebra, Wesley Wilson of Sta. Lucia, Randy Holcomb of Alaska, Aaron McGhee of Talk n Text and Steve Thomas of Air21.
The 6-foot-11 Watkins is fresh from the Chinese league where he teamed up with former Ginebra import Chris Porter on the Fujian team. He has also played in Korea the last three years, winning one championship with the Dongbu ball club.
The 6-foot-10 Rice, 25, was a highly scouted NBA prospect while playing with the Miami Hurricanes from 2000 to 2004.
He made the All-Big East Second Team and First Team All-District 6 by the NABC in his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons and finished his collegiate career as the fourth all-time leading scorer in school history with 1,865 points. He was the only player in school history to lead the team in scoring in four consecutive seasons.
He also ranked first in games started (113), 10th in games played (116), third in minutes (3,727), sixth in field goals (631), second in three-point field goals (260), and fifth in 20-point games (35).
A nephew of NFL receiver Jerry Rice, Darius led the Dakota Wizards to the NBDL championship in the 2006-07 season, firing 52 points in the final game. (NC)
Monday, March 10, 2008
NIC BELASCO MOVES TO COCA-COLA FOR ISIP, DRAFT PICKS: Tigers now have top 2 Philippine Cup rebounders
While awaiting for updates from Magnolia Beverage Masters camp, let's try to scout other PBA teams who are strengthening their lineup and import acquisition for the upcoming PBA Fiesta Cup battle. Below is one of the early trade that happened a few days ago. Coke surely beefs up its lineup with this move.
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Source: PBA.ph
Veteran Fil-Am forward Nic Belasco is changing address for the third time inside three years.
After short tenures with Alaska and Welcoat, Belasco found himself in a new home as he was dealt by the Dragons to the Coca-Cola Tigers in exchange for sophomore pro Mark Isip plus two future draftt picks.
In the deal being sealed at press time, Welcoat is also to get Coca-Cola’s future second round picks in yielding Belasco.
It’s the first trade deal consummated since the league opened the trade market at the end of the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup ruled by Sta. Lucia Realty.
Belasco provided the Dragons the leadership and big numbers while Isip played merely off-the-bench role for the Tigers in the recent all-Filipino tourney.
The deal may really look one-sided in favor of Coca-Cola on the surface but Welcoat management believes it would serve its purpose in the near future.
"We want to go young. We want to surround Ryan Reyes and Joe Devance with young players. What we’re looking at is that they mature at the same time," said Welcoat team owner Raymund Yu.
"Hindi na bata si Belasco. Two or three years baka retire na sya. Mark, on the other hand, is only 27. He’s 6-6 and we know him well since he played for us in the PBL," Yu added.
Yu is happy Belasco went to a team where he can win a championship as he’s about to end his career.
"Tingin ko mga one or two years pa bago kami maging contender. Ang Coca-Cola naman, baka isang Belasco na lang ang hinihintay niyan para mag champion," said Yu.
The Tigers have surely become a lot more formidable with Belasco joining the team which has already become an overnight contender on the entry of Asi Taulava at midstream in the recent Philippine Cup.
From ninth place at the end of the elimination round, the Tigers rallied to finish sixth in the tourney.
Taulava and Belasco emerged as the league’s top two rebounders in the Philippine Cup averaging 14.6 and 13.6 caroms a game, respectively. Belasco also averaged 15.5 points, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steal and 0.6 block a game for Welcoat last conference.
Welcoat was Belasco’s latest stop after his stints with Pop Cola, San Miguel Beer and Alaska in a pro career starting in 1997. Belasco is 34.
