The Triangle Offense of coach Tim Cone was really a great source of interesting stories in the PBA. In the An Eternity of Basketball podcast, coach Tim revealed that one prominent player in his San Mig Coffee team once asked for a trade.
He was, of course, talking about Marc Pingris. According to coach Tim, Marc talked to Purefoods' team governor, Rene Pardo and asked for a trade because he was really anxious about learning the triangle. Pingris felt that he will never grasp the triangle.
Fortunately for the franchise, Mr. Pardo managed to talk Pingris out of his trade requests and Marc ended up as one of the most vital players in their successful run in the PBA.
Actually, coach Time revealed that Pingris ended up as one of the three players that distinguished themselves in terms of mastering the offense.
But, what if Pingris' trade request back in 2011, got approved?
During that season, Ginebra and B-Meg Llamados, the name of Purefoods franchise at that time, made a trade together with Barako Bull, where Kerby Raymundo ended up in Ginebra.
What if Gov. Pardo did not manage to dissuade Marc and he ended up as the guy who went to Ginebra?
That could have given Ginebra a way better starting five of Tenorio-Caguioa-Ellis-Pingris-Mamaril for the 2012 season. Still, not enough firepower but they may have a better finished in the import-laden conferences of that season, wherein B-Meg eliminated them twice.
Imagine B-Meg not having Marc and Ginebra adding him. At least one of those playoffs series could have ended up differently.
Ginebra may end up having a better season that should have pushed their draft seed above the #6. That could have led them to Chris Tiu.
On the other hand, it is a good question to ask if San Miguel Coffee may not have succeeded to finish the Grand Slam in 2014.
Actually, there are a lot of what-ifs regarding this decision of Pingris. Fortunately, Mr. Pardo and coach Tim Cone, did the right thing for the franchise.
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