Ginebra is 'biggest loser' as Globalport gets Aguilar, Mercado in blockbuster deals By Snow Badua

Meralco's Sol Mercado, left, and Kelly Nabong were shipped to Globalport for Rey Guevarra, Vic Manuel and Josh Vanlandingham while Talk 'N Text's wantaway center, Japeth Aguilar, and Rabeh Al-Hussaini traded places.Jerome Ascano

Kings 'biggest losers' as Global nets Aguilar, Mercado in pair of deals
NEARLY four hours of negotiations in Singapore saw Globalport seal two blockbuster trade that involves Japeth Aguilar, Solomon Mercado and handful of young cagers.

The first step saw Globalport agree to a  one-on-one swap with Talk 'N Text for the wantaway Aguilar that saw Batang Pier center Rabeh Al-Hussaini reunite with his college coach Norman Black at the Texters camp.

A few hours later, Globalport sealed a three-for-two trade that saw Batang Pier’s young wingmen Rey Guevarra, Vic Manuel and Josh Vanlandingham moving to Meralco for Mercado and rookie Kelly Nabong.

The trades are subject to the approval of the Commissioner's Office.

A couple more transactions are still on the table in what initially started as a six-team, 12-player merry go round, but some parts of the negotiations are either on hold or have been abandoned.

The biggest loser, though, may be Barangay Ginebra, which may end up holding an empty bag after the trading frenzy.

Aguilar was supposed to end up at the Ginebra camp in the secon half of the deals that would see the Kings part with Kerby Raymundo, but such moves are now in doubt.

Sources revealed that it was the Talk 'N Text camp which put its foot down and demanded that Aguilar be retained by Globalport, denying Ginebra a chance to land the 6-9 Aguilar.

Ginebra, sources added, already had an offer on the table for the enigmatic center.

Another planned Globalport trade for Jay Washington also appeared scuttled. A source told Spin.ph that Petron wants Vic Manuel to be part of any deal for Washington, but the hard-working rookie has already been dealt to the Bolts.

“Yung deal dun (sa Petron for Washington and Manuel) eh mukhang malabo na," said the source who refused to be named.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @snowbadua

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/ginebra-is-biggest-loser-as-globalport-gets-aguilar-mercado-in-blockbuster-deals#.UQnbFQFuRTs.twitter

Tim Cone: ‘Sakuragi’ Pingris big boost to SMART-Gilas Pilipinas

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Tuesday, January 29, 2013 · 7:45 pm

AKTV/Pranz Kaeno Billones

San Mig Coffee livewire forward Marc Pingris is the newest member of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team, and his coach Tim Cone couldn’t be more excited.
“I think he’ll be a key contributor. I’m really happy for Ping,” Cone told InterAKTV. “I’m sure, he, too, is very proud about his selection.”
Cone said Pingris, nicknamed ‘Sakuragi’ after the anime character for his firebrand style of play, brings a different dimension to SMART-Gilas.
“He does so many things that were never done by other members of the squad,” said Cone.
Pingris’ entry into SMART-Gilas could mean missing games for San Mig Coffee in the Governors’ Cup, the schedule of which is still being set by the PBA. With this in mind, Cone said that the team could choose to bring back Marqus Blakely, who led the franchise to a finals appearance in the season-ending tournament last season. During his stint, fans compared Blakely’s style of play to that of Pingris, earning him the nickname ‘Black Sakuragi’.
“We’re looking to bring him in for the third conference,” said Cone.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/tim-cone-sakuragi-pingris-big-boost-to-smart-gilas-pilipinas