2016 Offseason Grade: BGSM, TNT, GBP, MER, MAH, PHX
(c) PBA Media Bureau
The season is already underway and the moves that the teams made in the offseason will be put to the test. So, how about grading their offseason' acquisitions and trades?
We will grade them according to the impact of their transactions in this season and beyond.
GINEBRAIN
Paolo Taha - G/F
Kevin Ferrer - F
Jericho De Guzman - C
Jammer Jamito - PF
OUT
Dennice Villamor - G/F
Frank Bonifacio - G
This Season: B
Beyond: B
Ginebra doesn't need to fix anything so loading up their bench with bigs and adding a shooter will bode well with them. Ferrer is the make or break acquisition of Ginebra. If he can be a consistent threat from beyond the arc, Tenorio and Thompson will have wider lanes to attack.
The acquisition of De Guzman secured their future. Greg Slaughter has been hampered by injuries, but with De Guzman there, they will surely survive. Taha is still young and he is already a versatile bench option. I will not be shock if push out Chris Ellis out of the rotation.
TNTIN
Roger Pogoy G/F
Levi Hernandez G
Frank Golla
2nd round pick
OUT
Aaron Aban
Dylan Ababou
This Season: E
Beyond: D
Let us make this clear, a low grade doesn't mean that it made the team worse, it only means that the impact is very little. With Fonacier and Reyes have at least a year more of quality basketball, I am expecting Pogoy will be groomed for next season.
I do expect Pogoy to be a good player in the future and with proper development, he could be a starter for a long time. Hernandez is a good scorer that can be a bench boost for several years. TNT doesn't need to make big changes, so what they did is just fine.
GLOBALPORTIN
KG Canaleta - F
Von Pessumal - SG
Rey Guevarra - SF
JR Quiñahan - C
Mick Pennisi - C
Jessie Saitanan - PF
OUT
Jay Washington - PF
Doug Kramer - PF/C
Mark Isip - PF
Dorian Pena - C
Jeric Fortuna - PG
Joseph Yeo - G/F
Gab Banal - SF
Sunday Salvacion - SG
This Season: A
Beyond: D
They want to win this season and they did fixed a team that is worthy of championship conversation. For it to work the way they wanted it to be, KG should really shoot above 36% beyond the arc. Quinahan will be tasked to be the anchor of their defense and I believe he can still do it.
About their future, it all boils down to Von Pessumal. He has the tools to be an elite 3-and-D, in the mold of Marcio Lassiter. Don't look pass Jessie Saitanan because that kid is athletic and stretch-rim protecting big.
MERALCOIN
Jonathan Grey - G
Ed Daquioag - G
Joseph Yeo - G
OUT
Jimmy Alapag - PG
Rey Guevarra - SF
This Season: D
Beyond: C
The retirement of Alapag will really hurt them this season because all their PG now have yet to find consistency in the league. Joseph Yeo may even play some PG minutes, which he is capable of and could be the best cure for Mighty Mouse' retirement.
I think, Grey was a huge steal in the draft. His size, athleticism and killer instinct could make him a valuable weapon, right away. Daquioag will need some time, but he is so athletic that he could be anything.
BLACKWATERIN
Mac Belo - F
Raphael Banal - SG
Tristan Perez - PF
Raymond Aguilar - F/C
James Forrester - SF
Dylan Ababou - SF
Ronjay Buenafe - SG
OUT
Carlo Lastimosa - SG
Almond Vosotros - G
Raffy Reyes - G
Jerick Canada - PG
Juami Tiongson - PG
Frank Golla - PF
This Season: C
Beyond: A
If you net the players that they added from the players that they let go, I can only come up with a middling impact. Lastimosa proved himself last season as one of the best scorer in the league and I don't think Raphael Banal can fill his void, right away. James Forrester could be the conference-changer for them because if he can show us at least 80% of the potential that we saw in him in his rookie season, Blackwater will be a legit playoff team.
Looking beyond, Blackwater will be one of the contenders a season or two from now. As long as they don't break the core of Banal-Bello-ADC-Erram. Tristan Perez has some value too, because he rebounds very well and can bang inside.
PHOENIXIN
Gelo Alolino - G
Jeff Javillonar - SF
Paolo Javelona - G
Doug Kramer - F/C
Matthew Wright - SF
OUT
Mick Pennisi - C
Josh Urbiztondo - PG
Mark Cruz - PG
Ronjay Buenafe - SG
This Season: C
Beyond: C
Pennisi is slow for their pace so replacing him with a Kramer was a wise move. Alolino and Wright have better values than Urbiztondo and Cruz. They made the correct moves and choices, but if you net it, the impact will be average.
Talking about the future, Alolino and Wright are not shoo-in to be very good players. They are risky picks in a way. Alolino may not develop anything special which will make him just a bench player. While Wright's defense and mass could be a problem going forward.
