Kings acquire Artadi
By Zean Macamay
People's Journal
September 13, 2007
The Kings added further depth into their solid backcourt line-up yesterday, acquiring Paul Artadi from sister-team Purefoods with Air21 acting as the conduit.
“He has speed and he can possibly bring additional excitement,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
Ginebra is a team feared for its guards, and Mark Caguioa and Jay-Jay Helterbrand were the ones responsible for guiding the league’s most popular team to the Philippine Cup title last season.
Besides that, the defending champions still have Johnny Abarrientos, the 1996 MVP, and Macky Escalona, the player they snatched in the recent draft.
Bo Perasol, the Air21 coach, said that team manager Lito Alvarez hasn’t informed him yet of the deal but admitted that he has been receiving calls about the trade. A person with a knowledge of the deal but refused to be named said that Paolo Hubalde, son of 1977 league MVP Freddie, is the one being eyed by the Express.
“As of now, wala pang sinasabi sa akin,” said Perasol, still in a state of uncertainty whether he will be one to man the Express in the season-opening Philippine Cup that begins on Oct. 24 because of the Robert Jaworski, Sr. negotiation.
“Pero for sure, we would get one (player),” he said.
The Giants, on the other hand, will acquire Ginebra’s second round pick next season.
The inclusion of Artadi definitely injects more speed into an already exciting flow of offense for the Kings, and his entry will reunite him with college teammate Ronald Tubid, himself a former Express dealt to Ginebra.
Artadi was one of three players Purefoods allegedly didn’t want to renew contract, along with Richard Yee and 13-year veteran Jun Limpot, once the league’s highest-paid player.
While Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio admits that Artadi is an instant lift coming off the bench, the call to release him is purely management’s decision.
At the same time, Uichico said that Raffy Reavies, who was reported to be ‘missing in action’ for quite some time while in the U.S., has returned but still remains doubtful whether he could play once the Philippine Cup kicks off.
Reavies, who was sidelined by a shoulder injury and was forced to go to the U.S. for treatment, arrived last week. As of now, he is conditioning his shoulder and has yet to join the team’s practice.
“He’s about 90 percent ready now. Only our doctor could tell when he can join the team’s practice,” said Uichico. “But it’s nice to have him back.”
11 comments:
ok, so ginebra did get artadi. it further solidifies their deep backcourt. how about the frontline? after releasing andy seigle and with hatfield's unknown status plus raffi reavis still recuperating from injury. who do you rely on? eric menk? billy mamaril? these guys are not consistent, my apologies to eric but since his personal problems and off-court actions he has never been the same. coach jong, how about getting a reliable and tested big man?
So it's not about minutes. Unless he thinks he'll get more behind Jay-jay and Johnny.
yes, he thought he could earn some playing time in a tight Ginebra quintet. he has a chance if jayjay helterbrand troops to the injury list more often
ka-brgy. nic belasco...
can't wait to see nic belasco in a Ginebra uniform...
Mike Holper and Macky Escalona for Nic Belasco?
yeah, that looks like it. now the artadi deal entirely makes some sense.
"And one of those trade moves -- with Ginebra -- has also gone down the drain after the Gin Kings, who expressed interest in the 33-year-old Belasco, refused to part with rookie point guard Macky Escalona and another player."
Just got this news from a leading local newspaper. It seems that Nic Belasco is giving Welcoat a hard time, so does Ginebra. Why can't Ginebra let go of Escalona? Or why not offer Artadi instead? PBA Addict, need your opinion on this. Thanks.
Belasco is already 33 years and may have only a few years left. Holper and Escalona are still young and have the potential to be better players. In terms of short-term, Ginebra wins out because Belasco is still one of the league's top players while Holper and Escalona haven't proven anything yet.
Belasco priced himself out of Welcoat's range because he doesn't want to play for a team who just last year won only 7 games.
Ginebra needs desparately needs an all-star type frontline player after the imminent loss of Rudy Hatfield and Belasco will be able to fill the shoes. Don't believe the news. It will only be a matter of time before this deal goes down.
Paul would have been a good fit with Welcoat but I think Coach Jong acquired him from Purefoods for a good reason. He believes in Artadi's talents and thinks he is a good fit for the team. Escalona is not a bad player but he is just a rookie. I think coach Jong went for one with veteran leadership rather than play a neophyte, especially now that helterbrand has been perennially on the injured list.
Thats what Im saying, even if Ginebra does not trade Escalona, Paul, has an advantage being more than 3 yrs veteran with a championship experience as well. But he has to earn his minutes in the Team. Avoid risky passes to lower his Assist Turn-over Ratio.
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