Source: Barako to trade No. 4 pick to Ginebra for Ababou, fifth pick to Petron for subs

Dylan Ababou is set to be moved by Ginebra to Barako Bull for the No. 4 pick overall in the rookie draft while Mark Isip and Magi Sison will be shipped by Petron to the Energy Cola for the fifth pick. Jerome Ascano

JUST hours after giving active consultant Rajko Toroman the pink slip, Barako Bull is set to pull the trigger on two more trades that should shake up the picking order in the coming PBA rookie draft.

What Reader's Say
wow ang galing ng san miguel ah, mga basura for the precious 4th and 5th pick, grabe bait ng barako ah.. kaya pala inalis si toroman para wla ng umangal -bask7777
Reply to Comment

Putting premium on experience over youth, the Energy Cola, sources said, are set to trade the fourth pick overall in Sunday's draft to Barangay Ginebra for comebacking forward Dylan Ababou and the No. 5 pick to Petron for rarely used subs Mark Isip and Magi Sison.

The deals, once approved by the Commissioner's Office, will leave Barako Bull without a pick in the first round since it is also set to acquire Denok Miranda from Globalport in exchange for the No. 6 selection overall.

[For full story, see Petron pulls trigger on Ross deal, but final Miranda destination still up in the air]

“Binigay na 'yung pick. Gusto nila yung Dylan. Kasi alam nila pagnakakuha ng kumpiyansa ulit yun, mahina ang 10 points na average n'ya kada game,” said the source in trying to make sense of the trades.

Ababou, a former star of University of Santo Tomas and a mainstay of the original Gilas squad, has sat out most of last season due to an ACL injury but has done well for Ginebra in the times that he was healthy.

However, giving him up means Ginebra can get a shot at acquiring blue-chip prospects like Terrence Romeo, RR Garcia, Alex Nuyles, James Forrester, and Jeric Teng.

The transactions should once again fan allegations that Barako Bull is being controlled by San Miguel Corp. and add another twist to the mystery surrounding the sudden departure of Toroman.

[For full story, see Austria, Tanquingcen in the frame after shock Toroman exit from Barako Bull]

However, team insiders said Barako Bull is putting premium on experience as the ballclub prefers to make an impact this season instead of building up for the future.
The team insider also pointed out that Barako Bull has three more first-round picks in next year's draft.

According to a source, the trades are now awaiting the approval of PBA commissioner Chito Salud, who is still with the board of governors in Sydney for its annual planning session.


Source: Spin.ph