Barangay Ginebra San Miguel yesterday traded Dylan Ababou and James Forrester to Barako Bull yesterday in a move that is seen as the start of the team’s revamp under new coach Frankie Lim.
Ababou and Forrester, two of Ginebra’s seldom-used players, were shipped in exchange for a Barako’s first round pick in this year’s draft, a day after reports surfaced that Lim was given the nod of approval by San Miguel Corporation management to take over the underachieving Kings.
The trade could be the first of many for the crowd-favorite squad, which suffered another devastating setback when the Kings were eliminated by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
In fact, even Ginebra’s 5-foot-9 guard LA Tenorio, has been mentioned in several trade rumors, including one that may send him to Globalport in exchange for Fil-American rookie Stanley Pringle.
That was the hottest topic before the start of the conference, but negotiations bogged down in the end.
“Kung matuloy man yung trade, hindi ka na din siguro magugulat kasi matagal ng usap-usapan yan e,” said the source. “Pwedeng mangyari this season or next season, hindi masabi.”
Other players mentioned by several sources include guard Josh Urbiztondo and forwards Chris Ellis and Mac Baracael.
Ababou, who has been rarely used by Ginebra, will return to the team that selected him in the 2011 draft, while Forrester wants a fresh start after spending more of his two-year career on the bench. (Waylon Galvez)