Two trades shook up the PBA this week. They may not involve big names, but they’re noteworthy because of what they signal for the teams involved.

What management should worry about is the real threat: our SEAG rivals stopping Gilas by blocking our players from competing.

First, I heard this was supposed to be Japeth Aguilar’s final game with Gilas. I’ve heard this rumor so many times now that I’m taking it with a grain of salt.

Thailand’s stricter basketball eligibility rules have suddenly put the Gilas Pilipinas campaign for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in a tight spot. Reports say Filipino-Americans Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Mike Phillips, and Remy Martin were removed from the roster. Naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Angelo Kouame are also out, although the former Ateneo big man will suit up for the 3x3 squad. People are already saying Thailand played this move to tilt the competition and

Even though Guam tried to hang around, the Philippines eventually pulled away, finishing the job with a massive lead in front of a wild and very pro-Filipino crowd.