SMC and The Lina Group: Destroying The Competitive Balance of The PBA

First we saw Allein Maliksi and Rico Maierhofer go to Ginebra for absolutely nothing in return( yes, consider Yancy De Ocampo and Jimbo Aquino bad players), now Dylan Ababou and Kerby Raymundo will be going to Ginebra for JC Intal (BMEG) , Reil Cervantes(Barako Bull) and Ronald Tubid(Barako Bull).

The Basketball scene in the Philippines is losing its integrity with trades like this. I remember when Enrico Villanueva, Larry Fonacier, and Lordy Tugade went to the San Miguel Beermen(during that time Magnolia). It was 2007 and Barako Bull led by coach Yeng Guiao was winning championships. San Miguel had the deepest line-up in league because aside from getting the best players of Barako Bull, they had Danny Seigle, Danny Ildefonso, Dorian Pena, Dondon Hontiveros, Olsen Racela, and rookie LA Tenorio. This team was good enough to become a Philippine National Team and by the next season they received Jay Washington and Mick Pennisi via free agency.

I consider these events as the "Philippine Basketball Dark Ages" because of these lopsided deals, many teams lost popularity such as Sta Lucia, Coca Cola, Shell, and Air 21. Nobody was watching the games except if you are a Ginebra, Purefoods, or a San Miguel fan. The only team that survived this turmoil was Alaska because the Aces management during that time was able to keep Tim Cone's system and they made a very smart trade to for LA Tenorio and Larry Fonacier in exchange for Ken Bono and Mike Cortez. The teams that lost money sold their Marquee players to Talk n Text, that is why Kelly Williams, Ranidel De Ocampo, and Ryan Reyes are playing for consecutive championships as we speak.

Now we are seeing it yet again. Basketball executives do not understand why people are watching these games or why people love the PBA. The Philippine Basketball Association is supposedly a basketball league and not a Harlem Globetrotters versus the Washington Generals event. Basketball fans turn on TV's or go to the Araneta Coliseum to watch competitive basketball. I really thought something changed this season. But when Barako Bull sent their best rookies to Ginebra, this league fortifed the idea that it is a big joke. Ginebra is a crowd favorite because it is an underdog not because it is an All-star team. Why can't SMC let Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand and get younger players from future drafts? A league should have winners and losers that interchange from time to time. Franchises used to have an Alvin Patrimonio or Benjie Paras leading the way. Now, we have powerhouse teams that look very expensive (So much for the imposed salary cap). Instead of having role players, we see star players replacing star players. SMC teams and the Pangilinan teams are just too deep. The Lina group is just selling their players to the highest bidder or they look like an SMC farm team.

I am not saying trades should be barred because it is normal but it should be fair in nature. Basketball franchises should refuse to give away their best players. Just because Ginebra is losing does not mean they should rob PBA fans and get the best players from other teams. It is good to overhaul a team but doing it by sacrificing the honesty and the competitive balance of our beloved PBA is not the way to go. If trades are going to continue to be like this, I would not be surprised if the PBA will one day shut down because it is very obvious that this is just a 5 team league (three from SMC versus two from the Pangilinan Group) and other companies would fear to invest in such a league which can considered a black hole economically.

Sa Basketbol Bilog Ang Bola, Wag Niyo Bilugin Ang Ulo Ng Mga Fans!

Source: Down with Manila

^First off I THINK THIS WRITER IS A BMEG FAN! Yes he is pointing out SMC as a whole but look at the trade that happened! Come on it's elementary! JC+Reil+Ronald = Kerby and Dylan?

We got a grandpa and a future star in exchanged for established players!

Why didnt he pointed the time when BMEG got Tim Cone and Joe Devance? but only looking at SMB and BGK?

Dont give any reasons for TNT in acquiring those Filams! still a lopsided trade!!!! Kelly+Ryan= Nic and Peek?! Come on!

Another thing is Washington was acquired by SMB in exchange for their draft pick which is Jayson Castro and Not visa free agency. tsk tsk tsk



That's Life man! If SMC and MVP are not in the PBA NOW then I think we have a different low class league to watch like ABL.



Money is Money! wala siyang magagawa kung gusto ibenta ng Lina Corp ang players nila! Thats how they survived in the PBA and having its continuity is good!


Maganda parin naman ang PBA specially with the Showcase of talents that POWERADE and ROS has.

So its not Just SMC. It will be PBBvsBMEGvsTNTvsBGKvsROSvsPOWvs Alaska

Its still a rumble for the Finals Spot!



What a waste of time for this article......