CHICAGO - Ravaged by injuries and with some of its core players' athletic mortality slowly being swallowed by the sands of time, Barangay Ginebra is swinging for a lineup boost.
According to multiple sources, the PBA's most popular team has its eyes on one specific prize - Fil-Am Caelan Tiongson.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone, I am told, has been "wanting Tiongson for some time" and that his interest has only escalated with the injuries that has plagued two of his best players - Jeremiah Gray and Jamie Malonzo.
READ PBA draft-bound Tiongson to play for SGA in Jones Cup
Attempts to reach Cone were unsuccessful, which wasn't surprising. When it comes to discussing potential draft assets coaches tend to be distant and withholding, preferring to keep their cards on their chests so other teams won't pounce.
The PBA hasn't officially released the order for the upcoming Season 49 Rookie Draft but based on projections the Gin Kings pick at 10th overall.
BLUE CHIP TALENT.
If he enters the draft, Tiongson is unlikely to be available at No. 10. To pry him, a source revealed, Ginebra would probably need the help of Terrafirma, which owns the No.3 pick.
As to how the two teams can make a fair trade package work, assuming that the slowly-improving Dyip wants to dance, remains unclear.
A 6-foot-5, 204-pound swingman, Tiongson, citing no specific reason, announced his retirement via Instagram last October 2019 following two seasons in the ABL where he established himself as a capable scorer and a bruising defender.
The 32-year old from Pomona, California resurfaced in Taiwan in 2021 where he played for the Beer Leopards in the T1 League. He averaged 13.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 19 games while logging 31.6 minutes per.
"He's good. He's in shape," Strong Group Athletics (SGA) coach Charles Tiu, who is Tiongson's adviser, told me over the phone.
Tiongson will play for the Frank Lao-owned powerhouse franchise in the 43rd William Jones Cup next month in Taiwan. Tiongson is set to arrive in Manila in time for SGA practices which begin on June 27.
The deadline to submit an application to enter the Season 49 PBA Rookie Draft is 5 p.m. on July 4. Whether Tiongson dips his feet in the water remains to be seen.
But when he does, Cone and Ginebra should be waiting to scoop him up.
GIANT LEAP FOR COACH ARIEL VANGURADIA.
Former Blackwater coach Ariel Vanguardia will join the Atlanta Hawks coaching staff for the 2024 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas next month.
Vanguardia, who started his coaching career as an assistant with the Manila Metro Stars of the MBA back in 1998, was invited to join the Hawks by assistant team GM Kyle Korver.
Needless to say, Ariel jumped at the offer and will fly to Atlanta on July 5..
"I am grateful to the Hawks for considering me," he said in a phone call from Los Angeles. "Coaching is teaching and learning. I am excited for this opportunity."
Well done, coach.
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