In what could be the start of a long-term process, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel traded two of its seldom-used assets Dylan Ababou and James Forrester to Barako Bull for the Energy’s first round pick in the 2015 PBA Draft.
Ababou, a former UAAP Most Valuable Player, was the 10th overall pick by Barako in the 2011 draft. The former Gilas wing man had a promising rookie season, averaging 8 PPG in over 22 minutes of play in 42 games, before being dealt to the Kings.
Since the switch, Ababou was used sparingly, playing in only 39 games in a span of three seasons, averaging less than 3 PPG in about nine minutes a game.
Forrester, the fourth overall pick of the 2013 draft, played only a total of 17 games for the Kings, registering 108 minutes and 26 career points.
Ginebra will get a first round pick in return, which will most probably be a player selected in the middle of the first round. With prospects like Roi Sumang, Mac Belo, Troy Rosario, Ray Parks, Moala Tautuaa, Scottie Thomspon, Kris Rosales, Abel Galliguez, Chris Newsome, and Garvo Lanete to name a few, Ginebra will most likely land a talented young gun.
Quick analysis and team grades
Ababou and Forrester definitely deserve more minutes on the floor and the move by Ginebra will get them a chance to crack the Energy’s regular rotation. The two were buried behind Mac Baracael, Joseph Yeo, and even Jayjay Helterbrand in Ginebra’s backcourt rotation. The Energy can use some additional talent right now and that is where the two swingmen will be of great help.
Forrester possesses size, speed, and strength. He can finish around the rim and be a stopper on the other end. Ababou will give his team more space as he loves shooting threes from the side and the corner. Like Forrester, he can also be developed into a reliable perimeter defender.
Ginebra: B
Ginebra let go of two talented young guys who could have been part of the squad’s future rosters. They instead opted to go for a first-rounder. While they will most probably land an equally talented individual, two is still better than one.
Barako: A+
JC Intal, Chico Lanete, and Sol Mercado will have additional support. The Energy bench just got deeper and they will have more weapons to choose from.
