Sa mga oras na ito… Tahimik na tahimik pa ang trading market.

Matapos ang blockbuster player swap na naganap noong nakaraang linggo kung saan nalipat sa Ginebra si Japeth Aguilar, napunta sa GlobalPort si Jay Washington at na-acquire ng Barako Bull si high flying wingman Elmer Espiritu, wala pang bagong transaksyon ang naisasakaturapan.

Pero hindi tayo magugulat kung sa mga susunod na lingo – baka nga araw lang – mayroon ulit bumulaga na mga player swapping.

Ito kasi ang pinakamagandang panahon para magbalasa ng line-up ang mga teams dahil una, mahaba ang panahon para magprepara at pangalawa maraming mga players ang mag-e-expire ang kontrata.

Hindi pa nababanggit rito ang paparating na PBA Draft, na magaganap sa November 3 sa Robinson’s Place Manila.

Ang isa sa pinakamainit at bunyag na pinag-uusapan ngayon ay kung saan mapupunta ang playing rights ni man-mountain Asi Taulava.

Ang 40-year-old Fil-Tongan slotman ay hot commodity ngayon sa PBA dahil sa muling lalabas ang pangangailangan sa big man ng karamihan sa mga koponan.

Noong nakaraang conference kasi ay hindi naramdaman ang problemang ito dahil nagpatupad ng unlimited import height limit ang liga.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at Air21 Express ang mga sinasabing teams na matindi ang pagnanasang makuha si Taulava.

Sa mga koponan ngayon, tanging ang Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at ang Alaska Aces lamang ang naggarantya na hindi sila papasok sa palitan ng tauhan.

Ang Alaska ay galing sa kampyeonato ng Commissioner’s Cup habang ang Rain or Shine ay ang defending champion ng bubuksan sa August 14 na Governors’ Cup.

So hangga’t hindi natin nakikita ang opening tip-off ng season-ending tournament, marami pa – as in – marami pa tayong dapat abangan.

The trade that will center on the playing rights of Asi Taulava might start to roll in the next few days.

The bullstrong center has long aired his intention to return to Asia’s first play-for-pay league after a successful stint in the ASEAN Basketball League, where he emerged as the season MVP.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Air21 Express are just two of the teams reportedly eager to acquire the services of the ferocious big man, whose rights are still with the Meralco Bolts.

But more than aggressive is Ginebra, which is in dire need of a slotman who can patrol the post. The Kings recently acquired GlobalPort’s Japeth Aguilar, who is a natural small forward.

A source told pba.ph that Meralco wanted a point guard who has a feathery touch from afar, someone who can be added to the mix of backcourt mainstays Chris Ross and Paul Artadi.

The Bolts already have a prospect who is currently playing in the PBA D-League, but the team is still pinning its hopes that one of the teams interested in Taulava, including Ginebra, can supply them with the exact piece they need.

Another source revealed that as of the moment, Ginebra can only release one of its forwards owing to their long list of cagers playing the 3 and 4 posts.

Meralco governor Ramon Segismundo, however, stressed that no offer or feelers have so far been transmitted to them by Ginebra and the other interested parties.

“As far as I am concerned, I have not received any offer from the San Miguel group. The ball really is in their court,” said Segismundo, who emphasized their team’s approach on the negotiations.

“They have to come up with an offer, of course it should be a player of equal value,” added the next  chairman of the PBA Board of Governors.

Asked what is their definition of “equal value’ in the Taulava negotiations, Segismundo gave a straightforward answer: “That’s for them to define. It has to be a fair share transaction.” (SBadua)

With a short-handed lineup, Gilas Pilipinas dropped the finale of its seven-game Lithuanian odyssey Saturday night.

The Filipinos sorely missed Jayson Castro and Gabe Norwood as they bowed to Birstono Jazz-Diremta, 79-86, in their rematch and thus closed out their Lithuanian tune-up series with a 5-2 win-loss record.

“Didnt play Jace (ankle) & Gabe (left na 4 his wedding) still no excuse for losing,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes in his Twitter account.

“Weren’t ready to play today,” said assistant coach Josh Reyes in his own Twitter page.

While the Filipinos showed up with a crippled lineup, the Lithuanians came in full force, including the import that they didn’t play in the previous match.

And the home team played with its heart out, obviously eager to avenge its 63-74 defeat in the initial game.

“Final game today. Originally not part of the sched but this team, Jazz-Diremta, requested a rematch when we won our game vs them,” tweeted the younger Reyes before the game.

The Lithuanians dominated the boards and pummeled the Filipinos in the second half, wiping out a six-point first-half deficit.

Gary David made 25 points with Marcus Douthit and LA Tenorio adding 13 apiece for the Filipinos who break camp in Klaipeda, Lithuania Sunday and are expected to be back in Manila Tuesday. (SB)

Gilas Pilipinas played tough in the crunch and got back at LSU-Baltai, 90-88, in their rematch at the Svyturio Arena in Klaipeda, Lithuania Friday night.

“Barely beat d young LSU team playing w/out imports, 90-88. They finished 2nd to last in Lith 1st Div,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes on his Twitter account.

”Got LSU back, but wow on their tall, quick release shooters. They were shooting over our outstretched arms. Tough game. Luckily, we converted on the crucial plays in the end game,” said assistant coach Josh Reyes on his own Twitter page.

Marcus Douthit, Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro and Gary David led the Gilas stand overcoming another hot shooting clip by the LSU-Baltai team – the only squad that has beaten the Phl training pool.

LSU-Baltai rained down treys on Gilas Pilinas in pulling off an 89-86 win in their initial encounter.

The Lithuanians again displayed torrid shooting but the Filipinos stood their ground, riding high on the efforts of Douthit, Alapag, Castro, David, Larry Fonacier and Japeth Aguilar.

Douthit topscored with 22 points with Alapag, Castro, David, Fonacier and Aguilar adding at least seven points apiece.

Sarunas Vingelis rifled in four treys, Vidmantas Sragauskis fired three, Arunas Sakalauskas and Arunas Vasiliauskas added two each and Laimos Miksys one for the home team.

Gilas closes its Lithuanian camp after one final game against Bistrono Jazz-Diremta Saturday. The Filipinos return home the following day. (SB)

At the conclusion of its 10-day clinic under Lithuanian coach Kestutis Kemzura, Gilas Pilipinas humbled the Lithuanian 20-under team, 88-84, one more time Thursday night at Svyturio Arena in Klaipeda City.

Gilas overcame the Lithuanian young men’s team in a rugged match for a repeat of the Filipinos’ 83-75 triumph in their previous faceoff Tuesday.

The Phl training pool plays two more game before closing its Lithuanian camp and returning home with only a month and a half to go before the start of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

“Instead of 1, were playing 2 more games to simulate d 3 straight game sked of FIBA. So total of 7 games here,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes on his Twitter account.

The Filipinos try to get back at LSU-Baltai Friday then try to repeat versus Birstono Jazz-Diremta Saturday. They fly back to Manila Sunday.

Obviously, Gilas is improving by the day in Lithuania.

“Repeated over 20-under Lithuanian NT in a physically intense match, 84-88. Rested Ping (Marc Pingris) who’s nursing a strained shoulder. 7 TOs (turnovers) only,” tweeted Reyes.

The Gilas mentor also mentioned their 41-percent three-point shooting and 24 assists against the Lithuanian 20-U team.

The Lithuanians offered a tougher challenge in this game but the Filipinos again stood their ground and thus made it 4-1 in their series of tune-up games against Lithuanian teams.

Marcus Douthit scattered 27 points with Gary David and Ranidel de Ocampo chipping in 18 and 12, respectively.

Assistant coach Josh Reyes said the Lithuanian team fought with a greater resolve after being hit badly by the local media in losing the previous match.

“Strong and spirited start by LTu20. Good thing we managed to adjust and get the win,” the younger Reyes said on his own Twitter page.

Meanwhile, the Gilas coaches and players were all grateful to the valuable lessons learned from Kemzura.

“Pretty sad to part ways w Coach K. Last practice this am (Wednesday) as he has a busy sked. Thx for d 10 days. Learned a LOT!,” said Reyes.

“Always an honor to learn from a great mind and a legendary coach here in Lithuania. Thanks Coach K,” said Jimmy Alapag.

“We were lucky enough to get 10 days of training and lessons from one of the best in the business. (Not the city…but the world,” said Gabe Norwood.

Kemzura is a great basketball mind, steering Lithuania to third-place finish in the 2010 world joust in Turkey. (SB)

Dior Lowhorn has already confirmed his stint as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s next import.

In his Facebook account, the former University of San Francisco stalwart posted the message: “See you all in a month! Kabarangay! #july 13th #tminusonemonth #philippinesbound #ginebra #championsgovernorscup #NSD”

Lowhorn first came to the awareness of Filipino basketball fans when he played for the Saigon Heat in the recently concluded 4th ASEAN Basketball League season.

Before he sustained a knee injury, Lowhorn topped the ABL statistical sheets with an amazing 26.67 points and 8.42 rebound averages.

The 26-year-old American has since recovered from his injury and fans of Ginebra are hopeful that Lowhorn will be the exact piece the team needs to win a championship.

Lowhorn is listed at exactly 6-5, the height limit for imports in the season-ending Governors’ Cup, which will kick off on August 14.

Meanwhile, an exciting pool of reinforcements is expected in the third conference.

Newly minted Commissioner’s Cup champion Alaska will parade high leaping Wendell McKines, who is said to be a bigger version of super rookie Calvin Abueva.

Air21’s prolific import last season, Zach Graham, will lead the so-called ‘balik imports.’

Playing nine games for the Express last year, Graham recorded an astonishing 37.56 points, 12.56 rebounds, 3.78 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

The San Mig Coffee Mixers have to decided to bring back Marqus Blakely, Rain or Shine opted to give 2011 Governors’ Cup Best Import Arizona Reid a second tour of duty and Talk n Text will again tap Tony Mitchell.

Barako Bull Energy Cola is still evaluating Michael Singletary, the same import the team brought to the Al-Shabab Invitationals in Dubai last month.

Meralco, GlobalPort and Petron Blaze have yet to name their reinforcements.

The Bolts are said to be contemplating on former import Mario West, the Blaze Boosters have around five prospects, while Batang Pier coach Junel Baculi might fly to the US next week to personally look for one. (SBadua)

Gilas Pilipinas rebounded from a loss the last time out with an 83-75 win over the tough Lithuanian 20-under team nearing the end of the Phl training pool’s Lithuanian buildup Tuesday night.

Jayson Castro and Marcus Douthit put in 14 and 12 points, respectively, in a balanced scoring Gilas dished out to best the reigning Euro 20-under champs.

The Filipinos bounced back strong from their 86-89 defeat at the hands of LSU-Baltai Sunday – definitely a positive sign for the Gilas team in its preparation for the coming FIBA Asia Championship.

“Still a lot of TOs (turnovers), still shot poorly from the 3 (three-point zone), but saw a lot of +s (positives),” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes on his Twitter page.

Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jeff Chan and Larry Fonacier contributed seven points apiece for Gilas that nailed a third win following earlier triumphs over Neptunas (81-76) and Birstono Jazz-Diremta (74-63).

The Filipinos started and finished strong as they measured up to the challenge of the Lithuanian young men’s team led by three US NCAA Division I campaigners.

The Filipinos imposed their game right at the start, taking the opening quarter at 30-22.

Gilas sat on a 51-43 cushion at the half and hung tough in the face the Lithuanians’ repeated uprisings.

Gilas and the Lithuanian 20-under team slug it out anew Thursday night before the Filipinos close out their six-game series with another match versus LSU-Baltai. (SB)

Don’t expect pros to be in the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar late this year.

Just a day after Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia expressed his desire to see Gilas Pilipinas represent the country in the biennial meet, the sport’s leaders said it may be wishful thinking.

“I doubt it,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud. “The PBA will be in the middle of the 2014 Philippine Cup.”

The 2014 PBA season, which will start late due to the country’s hosting of the FIBA Asia men’s championship in August, will only be on its fourth week of hostilities, not even halfway through the Philippine Cup eliminations, when the SEA Games open on December 11.

Instead of sending the pros, the PBA chief believes the usual practice of assembling collegiate and commercial league standouts will be best.

“Perhaps it’s time for our younger, future national team players to be tested there,” Salud added.

PSC chair Garcia brushed aside comments of “overkill,” saying Gilas Pilipinas’ participation in the SEA Games would gain us more pride and prove we’re the best in the region.”

Even Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios thinks the possibility of seeing Gilas in the SEA Games is quite far-fetched.

“Since the time SBP was formed, it was agreed by all the stakeholders that the PBA will be for the elite regional and/or world competitions. The other stakeholders can take care of the smaller competitions,” explained Barrios.

PBA-backed national teams have played in two SEABA meets in the past, but these were qualifiers to the FIBA Asia meets. However, no Philippine team made up mostly of PBA players has ever joined the SEA Games basketball competitions. (JL)

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is done waiting to get the services of 6-foot-9 center/forward Japeth Aguilar.

The Kings have finally acquired the athletic, young behemoth in day which saw four teams swinging deals also involving Jay Washington, Yousef Taha, Jason Deutchman, Elmer Espiritu and three future draft rights.

Shelved not a few times, the Aguilar and Washington trades were eventually consummated with the approval of PBA commissioner Chito Salud Tuesday afternoon.

The first trade saw Barangay Ginebra shipping Elmer Espiritu for the Energy Cola’s 2013 1^st round draft pick it earlier acquired from Talk n Text in the deal also involving Aguilar. Then the Kings sent the same draft pick plus Taha to the Batang Pier for Aguilar.

The final deal had Petron Blaze sending Washington to GlobalPort for Deutchman and the Batang Pier’s 2016 and 2017 second round draft picks.

“Malaking bagay sa amin ang trade na ’to kasi alam naman ng lahat na we lack a big man,” said Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua.

“Bibigyan kami nito ng rebounding at depensa from the weak side. And remember, we are a run-and-gun team. Eto ngayon ang 6-foot-9 player na kayang sumabay tumakbo at tumapos ng fastbreak,” Chua added.

Reports of Aguilar moving over to Ginebra had been heard as early as four months ago or prior to the Commissioner’s Cup.

After several revisions to the trade proposal, GlobalPort owner Mikee Romero finally gave his approval Tuesday.

“Jaywash and Taha fill the void and weaknesses of GlobalPort in the post. On top of that, we can use the draft pick to rebuild our team,” said Romero.

GlobalPort coach Junel Baculi specifically welcomed their acquisition of Washington.

“The team needs his experience. I know he has a lot of energy in him. He has to let it all out, fit into our system and lead by example,” said Baculi.

Petron coach Olsen Racela, meanwhile, admitted they just lost a key part of their team.

“J-Wash is a very talented player and is definitely a big loss to our team, but I also feel this trade will be good for his career. GlobalPort is a young team that can give him the minutes that we couldn’t give him,” said Racela.

Washington and Aguilar are both No. 1 selections from the PBA Rookie Draft.

Washington, the 2005 first pick, will see action for his third team after Talk n Text and SMB/Petron while Aguilar, the 2009 top choice, is to strut his stuff with his fourth team after Burger King, Talk n Text and GlobalPort.

Aguilar is currently with Gilas Pilipinas in its Lithuanian buildup for the coming FIBA Asia Championship. (SB)

In the stillness of the PBA season break, MVP Group teams Talk n Text and Meralco struck a trade deal with Barako Bull involving five players Monday.

The Tropang Texters, the Bolts and the Energy Cola agreed on a three-way trade transaction involving Jared Dillinger, Don Allado, Sean Anthony, Ronjay Buenafe and Gilbert Bulawan.

The Bolts, still working to put together a winning team, added some ceiling and quickness in their lineup in acquiring the services of Dillinger and Allado.

Dillinger, the Fil-Am player who’s supposed to be with Gilas Pilipinas in its Lithuanian training if not for an injury sustained in car mishap, first went to Barako Bull from Talk n Text for Anthony.

The former University of Hawaii stalwart eventually landed at Meralco together with Allado in a succeeding swap for Buenafe and Bulawan.

Meralco is Dillinger’s second team after four seasons and two conferences with Talk n Text that selected him second pick overall in the 2008 rookie draft.

Through the 2011-12 season, the 6-foot-4 guard/forward averaged 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds.

He was part of Gilas Pilipinas team that placed fourth in the fourth FIBA Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan last year.

In Allado, the Bolts acquired a veteran center who could impart a thing or two to JayR Reyes and Vic Manuel.

Allado is among the league’s senior players, Alaska’s direct hire back in the 1999 campaign.

Coach Ryan Gregorio hopes Dillinger and Allado help them achieve a major breakthrough.

Through eight conferences after taking over the Sta. Lucia Realty franchise, Meralco has yet to make a single Final Four appearance.

Barako Bull, meanwhile, now has a possible new take-charge guy in Buenafe and  young blood in Bulawan. (SB)