Loyalty Swap: Legalized kidnap for ransom

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Yes, the whole PBA online community was at arms when Petron used their machinery to discover the PBA’s release rule loophole but bitching and moping won’t result to anything.

By the way, this is why I call this legalized kidnap for ransom.

I’m going to shut up now.

Jojo Duncil has a six-year edge in terms of age because as it stands, he is the better choice than the 35-year-old Arboleda. Duncil is also playing his best season since joining the PBA in 2007. This rise came about his run with the Petron Blaze Boosters where he had 3.8ppg and 2.1rpg in 20 games in the 2011 Governor’s Cup. Had not for his squabble with current Air21 import Zach Graham, Duncil could have made his presence felt especially now that RJ Jazul has been traded to Alaska.

However in terms of awesomeness, I don’t think Duncil is at the level of The Snatcher. His points may be down but he continues to trump everyone with his insane defensive capacity and scrappy scoring notions. And as mentioned, the guy is the cornerstone of the Air21 franchise. Some people will say Gary David, Ranidel De Ocampo, and Renren Ritualo are the Express’ most popular stars but in my book, it has to be The Snatcher. The guy joined the Lina franchise when it was still in the MBA and he had grown and love the Ube Republic that he even started a family with the franchise.

He’s kind of the Triple H of the PBA.

He even brawls like The Game.

By the way… that guy had that coming.

The only sucky thing that Arboleda has at the moment is his gigantic salary. This is why it’s hard to justify Arboleda’s acquisition because the Blaze Boosters are filled with star players. This is why if Chief Justice Renato Corona’s SALN caused him to be penalized the PBA’s salary cap should also be exposed so that heads can also roll.

Air21 will surely start Arboleda or send him quickly to the mix and with him joining Renren Ritualo, Nelbert Omolon, Mark Isip, and Graham as the team’s Main Five. The team has been sending away their young blood (they are funded but not heavily) but I am sure it’s for their preparation to the upcoming season. I have no idea if they have already given away their draft pick but they are a marquee player and a workable second unit away from making the playoffs!

But that’s the thing for the Express. Their once-plentiful shooting guard core got talent raped with the loss of Jazul and Duncil.

Lucky for them they still have Ogie Menor.

At least Menor can give Ritualo five minutes of rest before he throws his fists on a random player.

Meanwhile, Duncil – despite the heavy contributions he did during the first and second conferences – will likely seat near RJ Rizada and Axel Doruelo at the edge of Petron’s bench. I know Ato Agustin has a penchant for defense but can he really take away his main eight players so that he can give Duncil twenty minutes of playing time. If he gets the playing time though, I can see either Chico Lanete or Nonoy Baclao joining Rizada and Doruelo. Arwind Santos and Jay Washington can play four positions so they can get the team to play tall or small ball.

I think the moral lesson of this “trade” is to never trust anyone in the PBA. I can’t determine if Barako Bull and Air21 used Petron as conduit, Air21 got muscled after an alleged gentleman’s agreement from the rest of the league, or if Lina and SMC perfectly fooled the league.

Like I said, I’m going to shut up on this matter.

And I hope Wynne Arboleda retires in the PBA with a title in tow for the Ube Republic.

Game over!