AMID trade talks involving Mac Baracael and Purefoods Star veteran Peter June Simon, Barangay Ginebra coach Frankie Lim said he isn’t closing the door on any deal “as long as it will be beneficial for the team."
Lim has pulled three deals that brought in Sol Mercado and Dave Marcelo as well as a 2015 first-round pick since he took over the Ginebra over a month ago and insisted he won't hesitate to enter into more transactions that can make the team better.
“I’ve been answering these trade issues and I have the same answer: anytime there’s an opportunity given to us to make this team better, we will grab it regardless kung sino,” Lim told Spin.ph after the team’s Tuesday practice at Green Meadows in Quezon City.
[See Yeo-Mercado deal sealed but Ginebra not done trading. See who's likely next]
Lim explained the roster retooling is necessary to make the team better in the hope of finally ending the franchise’s seven-year PBA title drought.
“Kung ibibigay sa iyo si June Mar (Fajardo), ano, di mo kukunin? Kung ibibigay sa iyo si (Stanley) Pringle, di mo kukunin? It’s a no-brainer,” said Lim. “Basta lalakas at gagaling ang team mo, you have to do what you have to do.”
Purefoods governor Rene Pardo, however, said there are no such trade talks involving Baracael and Simon while pointing out that sister teams are not allowed to enter into trade transactions unless it involved a third party.
“Wala namang nakikipagusap sa amin or lumalapit, saka alam naman natin na bawal mag-trade ang mag-sister team,” Pardo told Spin.ph when asked about the trade.
“Hindi lang naman ito ang last conference of the year or of the decade. There are more conferences coming, but you must also prepare for that,” he said. “Pero kailangan gawin mo yung mga ganung opportunities kasi di naman dumarating iyung ganun araw-araw.
“Kaya kapag binigyan ka ng opportunity to get your team strong, gagawin mo. I think kahit sinong coach kausapin mo, gagawin nila yun.”
[See LA Tenorio addresses trade rumors]
Pardo said it is understandable for trade speculations to swirl around Purefoods after the team, coming off a grand slam season, failed to go deep in the playoffs of the season's first two conferences.
“Kaya siguro nag-a-alala sila (Purefoods fans) dahil na-out kami sa Finals,” he added.
At the same time, Pardo insisted Purefoods isn't entirely closing the door on any trade.
“We will never say yes or no outright on trade (proposal), kahit pa naka-grand slam na kami. Instead, we will take it on the merits of the offer,” he said.
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