THE trade moratorium hanging over Terrafirma appears to be over.
Proof of this is the trade involving free agent Javi Gomez de Liano, who Terrafirma shipped to Magnolia for Jerrick Ahanmisi and a second-round draft pick last week which was approved by the PBA Commissioner's Office.
SPIN.ph sources said Terrafirma was allowed to deal in the trading market again after efforts to sell the team failed. This means the Dyip, the perrenial PBA cellar-dweller - two wins, 20 losses last two conferences - remain a member of the PBA and is allowed to trade players like all the other member teams.
SOURCES SAY Terrafirma lays down plans for No. 1 pick, will keep coach
The team reportedly remains for sale after Starhorse Shipping Lines and Zamboanga Valientes made attempts to buy it which was almost a done deal until it wasn't.
Nonetheless, the Terrafirma-Magnolia trade caught several in the PBA community by surprise because they thought Commissioner Willie Marcial's moratorium order was still in effect.
“Nagulat din ako,” admitted one team official, who requested anonymity as he’s not authorized to speak on behalf of his organization.
“But since there’s no change of ownership and Terrafirma remains a member of the PBA, kaya siguro pinayagan na rin silang mag-trade ulit.”
Some believe Terrafirma's decision to resume trading does not bode well for the well-being of the team since without some of its best players, the franchise's value will likely diminish, that is, diminish farther, since Terrafirma has one of the weakest lineups in the league.
But trading its best assets is par for the course for Terrafirma which over the years has a reputation of trading its best players. Most of the time, the trading has been unequal, mostly benefiting the other side, not Terrafirma.
The PBA has been severely and repeatedly criticized for allowing this kind of trade but the unfair trades continue.
The past several seasons, Terrafirma has traded quality players, including the core of the team that last reached the playoffs during the Philippine Cup of Season 48, namely, Stephen Holt, Isaac Go, Juami Tiongson, Andreas Cahilig, and now Gomez De Liano.
Not to be forgotten, Terrafirma also gave away the rights on former No. 1 Gilas draftee Jordan Heading midway through last season. - Gerry Ramos
Who'll be the third Meralco import after Brownlee, RHJ?
MERALCO is on the hunt for a quality import for the coming East Asian Super League (EASL) season to join Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
Sources said the Bolts are determined to form a competitive team for this season, which was why Justin Brownlee was considered since he would be classified as a naturalized player and not an import for the team in the EASL.
With RHJ as import, there is one more slot still to be filled by Meralco, which the Bolts hope would also boost the team in the EASL.
READ Brownlee, RHJ set for dream team-up at Meralco in EASL season
The Bolts are also inclined to bring an Asian import for the first time in their EASL campaign as each team is allowed to sign one.
Having learned from the experience of playing in the EASL for two seasons and even in the Basketball Champions League last season, Meralco, sources said, is bent on building around quality imports, without compromising their campaign in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup, an all-local tournament.
Out-of-town games for Meralco are also in the offing, sources said, so that the Bolts can have a true homecourt advantage just like the other EASL teams. And with Brownlee and RHJ set to come in, fans are expected to come in droves to Meralco games. - Reuben Terrado
Expect triple bills in PVL Reinforced Conference
The PVL is set to compress its forthcoming Reinforced Conference to give Alas Pilipinas Women players ample time to prepare for the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in December.
Contrary to the usual twinbills per match day, the single round-robin preliminaries could feature a series of triple-headers instead.
SPIN.ph got wind of the proposed scheduling adjustments of the import-laden conference that is expected to run from early October to late November.
Within that near two-month stretch, the PVL’s 17-strong Alas Pilipinas contingent will still train with the rest of the national team thrice a week while the Reinforced Conference is ongoing.
Participating in national team training sessions during an active PVL conference was the main condition agreed upon by the league and the Philippine National Volleyball Federation when the latter allowed national players to return to their mother teams.
Alas Women looks to end a 20-year medal drought in the SEA Games this December, having last won bronze in the 2005 edition of the biennial meet in Bacolod City.
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