Along with shock came curiosity when the PBA announced a major trade between Barangay Ginebra and Terrafirma on early Saturday morning.
Much of the attention is, of course, on the four former top overall selections switching places, with the Kings sending former BPCs Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle to the Dyip in exchange for Stephen Holt and Isaac Go.
But what also became a topic online among fans and netizens alike was the pick swap involved in the deal, which altered Sunday’s Season 49 Draft.
The Barangay will now be choosing at no. 3 in the proceedings set at the Glorietta Activity Center, with Terrafirma in possession of the no. 10 pick.
With that, some can’t help but wonder particularly what head coach Johnedel Cardel and his staff will do after trading down seven spots in the Draft.
The seasoned mentor, though, hardly feels bothered, saying that they have plenty of options as he and his deputies believe that this year’s class is deep.
“Hindi naman, kasi malalim talaga ngayon,” he told Tiebreaker Times when asked if the trade shook their game plan for the Draft.
“Until sa second round, meron tayong mga best player na rookies. Marami kaming plano,” continued Cardel, who was in attendance during the recent Season 49 Draft Combine held at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The former cager turned coach is hoping to “get a solid point guard and a wingman” in the Draft as they will try to maximize their first two picks.
After picking at 10th, Terrafirma will also be choosing at third (15th overall) in the second round, and he’s optimistic that they can acquire a quality player by that time after seeing the potential of this batch from the Combine.
“Mahaba ngayon, hanggang second round meron akong naka-line up. Hopefully, I can get a solid point guard and a wingman,” he said.
“Marami tayong batang mahahaba ngayon – 6’3″, 6’4″ na pwedeng magdala ng bola at dumipensa,” he added.
“Marami kaming nakita nung Draft Combine.”
The Dyip looking for a wing is logical after losing Javi Gomez de Liano to the Korean Basketball League by joining Anyang Jung Kwan Jang, although the team will also be welcoming back Kevin Ferrer from an Achilles injury.
Cardel just lost the core of the unit that brought the franchise to just its second quarterfinal appearance in the last Philippine Cup, but he’s excited about what lies ahead following the blockbuster deal with the league’s most popular team.
“Sabi ko nga, I have the 10th pick tapos meron ako sa second round, pang-15th. ‘Yan, makakakuha ako. Kasi malalim talaga,” he offered.
“Hanggang second round, may makukuha tayong mga best rookies ngayon.”
And in the event that their preferred prospects won’t be available when it’s their turn to pick, Cardel has a backup plan ready, too, since he now knows what kind of team he has at his disposal with the arrival of Standhardinger and Pringle.
“Kung hindi ko makuha si ganito, kung hindi ko makuha ‘yung best point guard, meron akong Plan B para riyan, para idagdag ko sa team ko,” he said.
“Kasi I have Stanley Pringle na, si Juami is still there, tapos si C-Stan. So alam ko na ‘yung kukunin ko para maging balanse ‘yung team ko, at maging malalim. kaya it’s all good,” he added.
“Itong what happened sa trade, I’m happy.”
