Global Port: Reloaded

What can I say? The higher-ups in Global Port pulled off all the right moves in the offseason. I have always been critical of this new management especially after they traded away 2 future cornerstones in JVee Casio and Sean Anthony. The team's first conference was disastrous, managing only a single win in 14 games and the team looked headed back to being laughingstocks again.

Mandani, Mercado and Miller comprises Global Port's
 new triple "M" guard combo. Be very afraid.

Two colossal deals however totally changed the whole picture. The team acquired Sol Mercado, one of the most dynamic guards in the league, and swapped underachieving Rabeh Al-Hussaini for the talented, albeit controversial, forward Japeth Aguilar. The team also nabbed Kelly Nabong and JP Belencion while letting go of Rey Guevarra, Josh Vanlandingham and rookie Vic Manuel. All 3 have had their moments with the team, especially the impressive rookie Manuel, but it was a undoubtedly a very good deal for Global Port.



Sol Mercado gives the team a legitimate floor leader. Leading the league in assists last conference, Mercado have developed from being a pure scorer to becoming a pretty good facilitator. Last conference, Global Port juggled between Rudy Lingganay,  Al Vergara and rookie AJ Mandani to man the point; none of which was able to give stability to the team's offense. Mercado solves that problem right away. And it certainly does not hurt when your playmaker can also drop 30 points at any given night.

Time to uncage the Eagle.

Japeth Aguilar. He's got all the tools to become the best local player the country has ever seen in years. But even if he does not reach his full potential, he'd still be a pretty good player, especially for this team where he can be the cornerstone if he sets his mind on it. Rabeh was painful to watch at times last year. The guy seems allergic to rebounds and couldn't defend to save his life. Fortunately, those are 2 things that Japeth brings to the table. His size, agility and athleticism will give opposing teams nightmares, and even if he does not score much, his impact on the defensive end will be very valuable. Coach Junel Baculi will give him full freedom to showcase his skills in this team and allow him to play in a way that suits to his strengths.

Kelly Nabong is also another blue collar player who'll provide that extra muscle and toughness this team desperately lacked in the past. Along with Japeth, Jondan Salvador and Rommel Adducul, this team will have no problem being physical down low.

Japeth, Sol, along with Gary David and Willie Miller, gives us probably the best team in franchise history (if we were to include the Tigers lineage) on paper. It will all come down to making it all work, but we can expect to compete again this upcoming conference.

Roar out.