I commented over here that Sta. Lucia’s championship has a micro-asterisk on top of it because of the James Yap suspension. If Ronnie Nathanielz’ blow by blow account of the Robles Buddy Barrios eye-ball at Shangri La is true, let’s upgrade the micro-asterisk to mini-asterisk.
But while Sta. Lucia Realty deserved to win, the series was marred by what we consider poor judgment and impropriety both on the part of commissioner Sonny Barrios and Sta. Lucia team owner Exequiel Robles and team manager Buddy Encarnado. We know Mr. Robles to be a fine, upright and decent gentleman, who hardly ever interferes with the workings of his team and the league itself and that is why his decision to invite Barrios to a luncheon meeting on the very same day that the commissioner was to take up the case of Purefoods’ James Yap, was not in keeping with his style.
The article questioning Sonny Barrios here.
What’s wrong with Belasco? Welcoat sent him packing to Coca Cola for Mark Isip and some picks. This will be his 5th team. Back in 1997, he was picked 2nd by the RFM Franchise. Pick number two, sandwich by now 2 retired players, Jason Webb and Andy Seigle. If he doesn’t put his act together on the floor, he will soon join Andy Seigle playing Nintendo Wii at home or join Jason Webb in the TV booth.
Coca-Cola and Welcoat struck a trade deal Thursday night, sending veteran forward Nic Belasco to the Tigers camp in exchange for sophomore pro Mark Isip plus two future draft picks.
With the acquisition of Belasco, the Tigers have become a lot more formidable as he is expected to complement well with Asi Taulava, who joined the squad midway in the recent Philippine Cup. From ninth place at the end of the elimination round, the Tigers rallied to finish sixth in the all-Filipino tourney topped by the Sta. Lucia Realtors. The Tigers were beaten by the Alaska Milk Aces in their best-of-three quarterfinals showdown.
Taulava and Belasco were the league’s top two rebounders in the Philippine Cup, averaging 14.6 and 13.6 caroms a game, respectively. Belasco also normed 15.5 points, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steal and 0.6 block a game for Welcoat last conference. Welcoat was Belasco’s latest stop after his stints with Pop Cola, San Miguel Beer and Alaska Milk in a pro career starting in 1997. Belasco is 34. Isip, on the other hand, put in only 3.1 points and 2.6 assists per game with Coca-Cola.
The deal looks one-sided in favor of Coca-Cola on the surface but the Welcoat management believes it would serve its purpose in the future.
…and what’s wrong with Welcoat too. They traded for Belasco and gave away Junior Cabatu. They then gave Nic a max deal. A conference later, they shipped him out. This could be because, (1) they are cost cutting or (2) Nic has some attitude problem or (3) They’ve done poor scouting on Joe DeVance and just found out the Nic’s and Joe’s game is virtually the same.
For Coke, this is must-do-well conference for Binky Favis. He can no longer have so-so results. With two imports and having Nic, Telan and Asi, they should contend.
O.T. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SONNY JAWORSKI! The Legend Lives On!
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