GlobalPort owner Mikee Romero Plans to Build the Team around Gary David

Only one member of the Powerade Tigers starting lineup from the team that made a Cinderella run to the Philippine Cup semifinals last season remains with the GlobalPort squad that bought the Coca-Cola franchise: Gary David. The Tigers traded Marcio Lassiter and Doug Kramer last season before the team was sold. GlobalPort has since dealt Sean Anthony on draft day and JVee Casio last month, leaving David all alone.
GlobalPort owner Mikee Romero says David, contrary to rumors, isn’t going anywhere.
“I want to build my team around Gary David, so why would I trade him?” said Romero.
“We will keep Gary and surround him with players who could help him out.”
The team owner, who is currently in the United States for a business trip, said the acquisition of two-time Most Valuable Player Willie Miller for Casio was a move to try to get more scoring help for Gary David.
Romero identified David, Miller, and former Rookie of the Year Rabeh Al-Hussaini as the core of the squad. “OK kami dito with these three players,” said Romero.
-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Gary David , Mikee Romero , PBA , Willie Miller

The Best Trades in Alaska History

Last Friday, the Alaska Aces completed a trade that sent LA Tenorio, the man who had been the face of the franchise, to Ginebra San Miguel, in a five-team deal that netted them JVee Casio and Dondon Hontiveros. It was a risky trade, to be sure; Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo called it a “leap of faith.”

But the Aces franchise is no stranger to making bold, risky moves that involve big names. For example, in 1992, the team sent reigning Rookie of the Year Eugene Quilban to 7-Up in exchange for backup point guard Jun Reyes.

In 2001, Alaska traded Johnny Abarrientos, perhaps the greatest player in franchise history, along with Poch Juinio to Pop Cola for Ali Peek and Jon Ordonio. Two years later, the squad completed a draft-day deal that sent another former Most Valuable Player, Kenneth Duremdes, to Sta. Lucia for the fifth overall pick, which the Aces used on Brandon Cablay.

But more often than not Alaska comes out on the winning end of big trades. In this latest installment of The List, we count down the best trades — or as we like to call them, the Wacky Moves, in honor of longtime Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo — in the history of the Aces franchise.

10. Acquired Rodney Santos and Bryant Punzalan from Purefoods for Cris Bolado (1997)
After winning the Grand Slam in 1996, members of Alaska were hot commodities around the league. Jeffrey Cariaso signed an offer sheet with the rebuilding Mobiline squad, while bench players also received interest from other teams.

Backup center Cris Bolado was coveted by Purefoods, and the two teams agreed on a deal that sent Jumbo to the Corned Beef Cowboys in exchange for Rodney Santos and Bryant Punzalan.

While Bolado helped Purefoods to the 1997 All-Filipino Conference title, where he cemented his lucky charm reputation, Santos ended up as a valuable contributor for Alaska in the long run, backing up both guard positions and helping make up for the absence of Cariaso until the arrival of Kenneth Duremdes later in the season.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Alaska Aces , Bong Hawkins , Cyrus Baguio , Don Allado , Jeffrey Cariaso , Joe devance , Kenneth Duremdes , LA Tenorio , Larry Fonacier , Mike Cortez , PBA , Rodney Santos , The List , Willie Miller