PBA Trade Rumor: A Top Player's next move

(c) PBA Media Bureau

According to our reliable source, a top player met with his player agent last night to discuss their next move.

Of course, our job for that rumor is to decipher who is that top player.

Knowing that the semifinals of the Philippine Cup are ongoing, we can already eliminate the top players of the four remaining teams.

By using the word top player, I think we can also eliminate rookies from consideration. And how about those who are currently playing for Ginebra? It is hard to believe that one of them is considering leaving the most popular ball club in the country.

Thus, I think we are down to the top players of TNT Ka Tropa, NLEX Road Warriors, Meralco Bolts, Alaska Aces and North Port Batang Pier.

For TNT Ka Tropa, I do not think Jayson Castro will even consider leaving the only franchise that he played for. RR Pogoy and Troy Rosario are possibilities but knowing TNT, there should be no financial reasons for the two young guns to think about moving.

That brings us to Jericho Cruz who was rumored last month to be traded. It did not happen. If he is still not attending practices, there is a big chance he is our guy.

For NLEX, Kiefer Ravena is still on suspension. JP Erram just finished his first conference with his new team.

For Meralco Bolts, I do not think Chris Newsome will consider moving as long as coach Norman Black is at the helm and knowing that he is the best player of the franchise.

One of the best candidates though will be Baser Amer who was first turned off by the news that he was part of the package that could have landed Bobby Ray Parks Jr. for Meralco.

Another good candidate is Chris Banchero who has a contract that will expire this year. One possible reason why Chris would consider a move is his injury situations. He may want to lock-in a much better financial deal for his future. Same is true with Vic Manuel.

But I think, the most interesting possibility is still Stanley Pringle of the North Port Batang Pier. From the moment he wore the Batang Pier jersey, his name had been popping as a trade target of SMC. Will it finally happen?