Let me just say this.
The reason why the Ginebra trade is miles faster than the TNT trade is that the latter had a stupid deal.
I mean, why would Blackwater want Kib Montalbo as their second-leading scorer?
TNT also tried to "boost" the deal by adding Barkley Ebona, Paul Varilla, and Jewel Ponferada. While the Bossings settled with Montalbo, a second-rounder, and Ponferada, I would have lobbied for Blackwater to obtain the services of either Kim Aurin or Glenn Khobuntin.
And say what you will about the Ginebra and Terrafirma trade, but it was a good deal on paper. The biggest problem of the Terrafirma side is the age of Stanley Pringle, and the downside of the Ginebra side of the trade is Isaac Go's health.
Now, the RJ Abarrientos and Mark Nonoy comparison is up in the air, especially since RJ has to learn the foundation of the triangle offense while Nonoy is at the mercy of Pringle and Juami Tiongson's playing time.
This is supposedly an intro, but it became a post on its own.
Whatever.
I hate how "fans" are angry with the Ginebra and Terrafirma trade DESPITE what Terrafirma got. I saw this meme on Facebook on how crappy have been the Terrafirma trades over the years.
This is why we should commend the team for getting these players instead of their usual value meal packages.
2015
TERRAFIRMA LOST | THE RIGHT TO KEEP TROY ROSARIO
TERRAFIRMA GAINED | KG CANALETA, ROB REYES, AND ALDRECH RAMOS
2017
TERRAFIRMA LOST | THE RIGHT TO DRAFT CHRISTIAN STANDHARDINGER
TERRAFIRMA GAINED | RONALD TUBID, JAY-R REYES, RASHAWN MCCARTHY, 2019 FIRST-ROUND PICK
2021
DRAFTED JORDAN HEADING - HAS YET TO PLAY FOR THE TEAM
LOST ROOSEVELT ADAMS TO FREE AGENCY
TERRAFIRMA LOST | CJ PEREZ
TERRAFIRMA GAINED | GELO ALOLINO, RUSSEL ESCOTO, MATT GANUELAS-ROSSER, 2020 SMB FIRST-ROUND PICK, 2022 SMB FIRST-ROUND PICK
And there's a public outcry because Terrafirma got a 35-year-old walking double-double and a 37-year-old former scoring champion in a league where the rookies are around 25 years old and most of the top players are in their mid-30s.
C-Stan is almost two years older than Stephen Holt!
STEPHEN HOLT IS OLDER THAN TERRENCE ROMEO WHO HAS BEEN IN THE PBA SINCE 2013!
Again, it's hard to factor age in the PBA with the way the league gets its players. If the league wanted to get young guys, then we must push the underclassmen button for the league. However, the PBA also needs to develop a system that would safeguard these underclassmen from applying or entering the league with the possibility of failing to impress. I know this is where the other leagues come in, but without a proper system in place, these kids might just flock to the PBA right after their first collegiate season without the capability to assess whether they are ready or not for the jump.
Javi Gomez de Liano is their fourth first-round player they lost without getting even a benchwarmer in return.
The fourth is Taylor Miller and not Manny Pacquiao.
I know Terrafirma had an extensive history of dumbass decisions, which is why they are entering their tenth season with zero semifinal appearances to show. But this is not as bad of a trade as we are blowing it up to be.
And I don't think Christian Standhardinger would leave the PBA just because he parted ways with the Gins. In fact, he should be delighted that he can do whatever he wants in the court now. Ginebra has too many options and as per his Northport stint, he has a chance to do better if only he is not restricted to a powerhouse contender.
I mean, is C-Stan related to Chris Ellis?
Is Christian Standhardinger that kind of a professional?
And if the trade is rescinded? Is C-Stan the type of player to let bygones be bygones, knowing that not only was he shopped to Terrafirma, but Ginebra also talked with Northport as well? And if that move happened, then that would be a double whammy for both Standhardinger and Pringle, who were thrown back to their original team because Ginebra wanted to have better options.
And if you're Holt or Go, then wouldn't it scare you as well?