ROOKIE Mark Denver Omega holds a rare distinction in the PBA. He has landed in three different teams and yet has not played a single PBA game.
The big man out of Letran recenty joined his third team, the Titan Ultra, after being part of the Calvin Abueva trade from Converge to the Giant Risers.
Along with Omega in the three-in-one package were Rey Suerte and King Caralipio.
READ What will Suerte, Caralipio and Omega bring to Titan Ultra?
But unknown to many, the 6-foot-5 native of Cagayan Valley had also drawn interest from NLEX during the Season 50 draft.
The Road Warriors had a shot at landing Omega in the second round, but opted to use the No. 17 overall pick on Arvin Gamboa.
The Elasto Painters eventually took Omega three picks later at No. 20.
Shorty after, sources told SPIN.ph that the Road Warriors decided to pursue Omega and approached Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao about a possible trade. Unfortunately for NLEX, Omega had already been committed by RoS to Converge following an earlier negotiation.
“Sabi sa amin ng Rain or Shine, nag-usap na sila ng Converge regarding sa draft rights ni Omega,” said the source.
Indeed, a few weeks after the draft, that agreement was finalized with the Elasto Painters sending Omega to the FiberXers for a Season 52 second round pick.
Following that trade, Omega went on to play his final playing year with the Knights in the NCAA, and then signed with Converge before the start of the playoffs of the Philippine Cup.
The 24-year-old center never got to play for the FiberXers. But in another twist to his professional career, Omega was fined P20,000 although he has never logged any playing minute.
This was because while he was sitting on the bench, he got up and made what is known as a "cooking" gesture, suggesting bad officiating, during Converge's do-or-die match with Barangay Ginebra for a spot in the semifinals.
The Kings won in overtime 99-98, on a game-winning three by Stephen Holt.
A month later, Omega, still without playing time, was on the move again after Converge traded him to Titan Ultra.
The question now is: When will he finally get to play his first PBA game?
Only time will tell. - Gerry Ramos
Who will inherit Spikers' Turf throne after Cignal exit?
The Spikers' Turf is set to push through with a new conference in the first quarter of 2026 after the indefinite leave of its most successful franchise.
Just five teams will now move forward with the semi-professional men’s volleyball league, SPIN.ph has confirmed, in Criss Cross, Savouge, PGJC-Navy, VNS and Alpha Insurance.
In Cignal’s absence, the spotlight is expected to fall squarely on Criss Cross as it guns for a second Spikers’ Turf title.
READ Cignal takes leave of absence from Spikers' Turf
The King Crunchers have steadily built a reputation as one of the league’s most consistent contenders despite being nearly-men to the Super Spikers.
Also looming large is a retooled Savouge squad coming off back-to-back semifinals appearances that has undergone a major facelift in the offseason bannered by several former Cignal players led by Louie Ramirez.
Like the PVL, the Spikers’ Turf will enter its Open Conference without a defending champion, leaving both leagues due for a changing of the guard.
The narrow yet competitive conference will be one defined as much by the opportunity to win a league title that has almost always landed in Cignal’s hands in years past. - John Mark Garcia
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