Trade Rumors: It is obvious that Meralco is NOT done trading

(c) PBA Media Bureau

Meralco made several moves during the offseason that impacted their line-up, heavily. They have dealt Garvo Lanete and Jason Ballesteros to pave the way for John Pinto and their two draft picks, Trevis Jackson and Bong Quinto.

When you look at their roster, it is pretty obvious that they will make another move before the end of this conference. 

Why?

Super Heavy Guard Rotation

In the PBA landscape today, the position that a team should never fully load is the guard. That is because of the simple fact that the position has the most supply in the league. 

Thus, I do not think coach Norman Black intended to have Baser Amer, Chris Newsome, Trevis Jackson, John Pinto, Mike Tolomia and Anjo Caram for the whole conference. 

Just take a look at their recent game. Caram, Tolomia and Jackson were forced to play less than 6 minutes because of the too much depth that they have. If that continues for the rest of the conference and the season, I do not think it will help the development of Jackson and Tolomia. 

Even the trade value of their guards will also diminish because of it. 

Short and Weak Frontline Rotation

I do not understand the thinking of the management of Meralco for not upgrading their frontline rotation. Are they not aware that the top teams, basically the SMC sister squads, are at the top because they have the most loaded frontlines in the league?

It is pretty obvious that their frontline is a big problem because they were still forced to give 35 minutes to 40 years old Reynel Hugnatan. I am a big fan of Cliff Hodge but if he is your best bigman, good luck.

The rotation of Hodge, Hugnatan, old Ranidel de Ocampo, Nico Salva and Gabby Espinas is a snack for the frontline depth of San Miguel and Ginebra.

Not enough talent

One more obvious thing about Meralco is their lacking of talented players. Baser Amer and Chris Newsome are building and growing as top 20 players but the two of them are not enough. They need to find more.

Conclusion

Add those three reasons, and the writing in the wall is pretty obvious, Meralco will make a trade either for a star player or a bigman.