CHICAGO - At age 22, Jacob Lao was officially announced as the youngest team manager in the 49-year history of the PBA.
Two years into his job at Converge, he is already starting to make a run as perhaps one of the most results-oriented officials to ever hold the position.
Last Wednesday, Jacob arranged a trade with Magnolia. It was a one-sided deal that favored an independent team over a powerhouse and SMC affiliate. Such equations are impossibly rare in the PBA.
Lao shipped Jerrick Balanza to the Hotshots for a second-round draft pick.
Balaza is a good player, with Letran pedigree. But somehow he didn't fit in coach Aldin Ayo's system and was used sparingly - 6.6 minutes per game where he averaged 2.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and .08 assists.
NEED AND WANT.
The essence of a trade is to acquire a player you want, which Magnolia did given its need for more contributors in the absence of injured key players Rome De la Rosa.and Aris Dionisio.
By the same token, a more important element of a trade, one that is much harder to navigate, is to discard an asset a team no longer needs and still get a fair return of investment.
Instead of having a seldom-used asset on the bench, Converge now has the opportunity to get fresh draft talent that would best suit its rebuilding plans. On top of it, the FiberXers are emancipated from the monetary obligations attached to the remainder of Balanza's contract.
Balanza could be a difference-maker with the Hotshots but given coach Chito Victolero's over reliance on his core, it remains to be seen how much playing time, if any, can Balanza get behind Paul Lee, Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon.
Look, Converge also traded Abu Tratter to Magnolia last January. VictoIero isn't using the Fil-Am much at all. Now, who won that trade?
NEW SCHOOL EXECUTIVE.
I don't know the sleeping habits of Jacob Lao but it's safe to assume the former Ateneo Blue Eagle woke up whistling the day after the Balanza trade.
It must be noted that Converge lost Maverick Ahanmisi and Jeron Teng as of late but those players were already there when he took over and much as he wanted to keep them, Lao also had the responsibility to balance the books.
Having freed up precious cash, Lao then used it to sign long-term max extensions to Justin Arana and Alec Stockton, two stars who actually want to be with Converge and share the team's vision.
Jacob isn't done weaponizing his position to shape Converge as a legitimate title contender.
After getting rid of Mac Tallo and putting Schonny Winston on the trading block, more room has been created for what is expected to be a lean, mean machine in the next conferences.
From a reporter's standpoint, Lao - the son of Strong Group Athletics billionaire owner Frank Lao - is easy to like.
Jacob is a new school team manager. Transparent and accessible in good times and bad. When issues emerge, he doesn't hide in a veil of secrecy while giving bland generalizations to answer tough questions.
And for that reason, Converge will be a fun ride to watch.
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