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In my book, Solar Sports’ Jude “Kaboom” Turcuato is one of the better sports opinionators out there, and last week Quinito Henson, in his column, quoted the man re Solar’s recent acquisition of PBA’s rights.

Yes I know most of you, like myself, couldn’t care less about these network’s ratings and ensuing lawsuit wars, but ABS, GMA, RPN, Studio23, QTV, et al are pretty touchy about these things, with their lawyers on speed-dial should any info that puts them in a bad light come to, err, light. At any rate, Jude unleashes some gems. A sampling:

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When it looked like the deal wouldn’t materialize, the Brgy. Ginebra Kings reached an agreement with the Red Bull Barakos to acquire spitfire Junthy Valenzuela in exchange for multiple draft picks. The Gin Kings originally offered shooter Sunday Salvacion for the crack Red Bull guard but in the end, the Barakos settled for a 2009 2nd round and a 2010 1st round picks.  
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After a 3-month hibernation, the PBA is back on air. The 33rd season of the PBA will be under wraps this afternoon at the Araneta Coliseum. Game time will be at 6:30 pm where the Magnolia Beverage Masters (formerly known as San Miguel Beer) will be pitting wits with the Express of Air21.

Hordes of celebrities have been invited to grace the opening tilt, including boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, reigning World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa and bowling legend Paeng Nepomuceno. Eat Bulaga’s wacky duo of Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola will be the hosts of the affair while artist-singer Karylle will sing the national anthem. All eyes will be on a bevy of beauties expected to be paraded by the 10 participating teams, among which are young actress Kim Chiu of Purefoods, Iwa Moto of Brgy. Ginebra, and Angel Locsin of Magnolia Beverage Masters.

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Brgy Ginebra Kings are still looking for an able replacement to Fil-am forward Rudy Hatfield who may not be back with the team this campaign and are reportedly looking into the direction of Talk N Text fronliner Don Allado. Joel Orellana of Business Mirror reported that the Gin Kings have inquired about the availability of the 6-5 Allado but the Phonepals wanted injured center Rafi Reavis in return. Brgy. Ginebra turned down the proposed one-on-one deal and are instead focusing on ways of getting the former Green Archer without involving Reavis.

Allado just signed a lucrative three-year P12.6 million deal with the Phonepals. Just early this week, the Gins completed a three-team deal with Purefoods and Air21, acquiring guard Paul Artadi. They were also rumored to covet Nic Belasco from Welcoat until the latter decided to stick with the Dragons with a reported two-year P8.4 million deal.

Even before he could suit up for his new team, Nic Belasco may find himself a new home.

Welcoat and Brgy. Ginebra are reportedly closing on a deal that would send the disgruntled newly-acquired forward to the Gin Kings for forward Mike Holper and rookie guard Macky Escalona.
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Purefoods jitterbug Paul Artadi demanded to be traded in the offseason and now gets his wish. He’s officially Brgy Ginebra’s property after the TJ Giants dealt him to their sister team. As sister teams cannot transact directly with each other, a third team (in pba lingo a conduit) is required to make the deal push through. Air21 Express is reportedly the third team and as part of the deal, ships a 2008 second round pick to Purefoods, and in return, receives Jec Chia and Paolo Hubalde from Brgy Ginebra.

Artadi demanded a trade from Purefoods management as he was being used sparingly by the coaching staff. How he fits into the Brgy. Ginebra system with already three point guards in its line up (Jayjay Helterbrand, Johnny Abarrientos, and Macky Escalona) remains to be seen. If his playing time dwindled with the Giants that only had Roger Yap, Boyet Bautista and at times Noy Castillo and PJ Simon rotating at the point, what more with Gin Kings who arguably have the better and more solid backcourt rotation anywhere in the league. Artadi gives the Gin Kings another “energy” boost off the bench, similar to what former UE teammate Ronald Tubid brings to the table. His non-existent offensive production may not even be needed by the team since they already firebrands like Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa who can handle the offensive load.
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After successfully prying away Mark Telan from Air21, the Coca-Cola Tigers firmed up its frontcourt corps even more with the acquisition of Mark Isip and Cesar Catli from Sta. Lucia for incoming sophomore Joseph Yeo and a 2009 second round draft pick.

Nelson Beltran of the Philippine Star reports that the two teams have already consummated the deal in time for their clash in the 2007 PBA pre-season tourney tomorrow at 6 p.m. at The Arena in San Juan.

With the two Marks in the lineup: Isip and Telan, the Tigers are expected to battle it out for the rebounds, unlike last year when they only had Fil-am Ali Peek to rely on the glass. Catli, on the other hand, replaces guard Will Antonio who was not re-signed by the team. The Tigers now have two deadly perimeter shooters on the team. The Tigers drafted an outside gunner in the draft in the person of Ronjay Buenafe.
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