CHICAGO -- The trade proposal which shipped the rights of disgruntled TNT star Mikey Williams to Converge for top flight playmaker Jordan Heading is now at the league office waiting for approval.
A quick surf on the world wide web leads you to several fans on social media wondering why the slow action when the Ginebra trade involving Stepehn Holt last July and the Magnolia trade for William Navarro last Tuesday went quicker than microwaving a cup of chicken noodle soup.
Here's an explainer, sort of.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial is presently in New York city for a volleyball-related event, so it will take a few more days until a decision is made.
But even if the straight 1-for-1 swap gets Marcial's blessings, it will be a while until the Tropang 5G will see their newly-acquired asset on the court.
NOT SO FAST, KIDDO.
Multiple sources told me that Heading is still "hoping to be back in around like a month," a timeline that doesn't help the grand slam aspirations of a point-guard-challenged squad.
After a stellar Commissioner's Cup campaign where he averaged 17.7 points and 5.9 dimes a game, Heading has yet to play this conference, a source of frustration that factored heavily in Converge's decision to trade the 29-year old Fil-Australian.
Although the back injury is described as "a concern," it does not rise to the level of "serious."
By the same token, back injuries are notoriously fickle and Heading, upon advice of medical personnel, would be wise not to rush a return in spite of his eagerness to contend for a ring.
Time heals all wounds. Unfortunately for TNT, this is a unique case where time is not an ally as it pertains to their ambitious, grandiose triple crown desires..
Currently in fourth place in the team standings with a 5-3 won-lost slate, the Tropang 5G will play Blackwater, Ginebra and Magnolia to finish the elimination round. The playoffs are expected to begin on June 18.
ROGER AND THE CREW.
Led by veteran 3-and-D specialist Roger Pogoy and the versatile Calvin Oftana, the Tropang 5G are a very good team, but they are not a championship caliber team without Jayson Castro or Rey Nambatac, two injured court generals who are astute at leading coach Chot Reyes' offense..
If Heading is unable to suit up and render point guard aid, TNT, which is almost certainly assured of a quarterfinals, is in real danger of not advancing further.
While the assumption was that the pursuit of Heading was grand slam-motivated, that doesn't appear to be the case.
"This trade was for next year," I was told, which means TNT is also gearing up for its defense of the Governors' and Commissioner's Cup titles alongside the indomitable Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
And with a healthy Heading moving forward, the flagship team of the MVP Group can take another swing at the grand slam in Season51.
As for Mikey Williams?
Pending said official approval, Converge won't reach out to the mercurial guard to initiate negotiation talks.
So now, just like Mikey and Jordan, we wait.
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