Last season, the PBA drew the ire of most critics and trolls for losing most of their stars to the international leagues. First up, isn't this what we wanted in the first place - putting Pinoy hoops on the international stage?
But then, most departures are probably because of the PBA franchises. Only a handful of players can have playing time, championships, and financial outpour. Sure, the battle has always been SMC versus MVP but even with TNT, it feels as if the SMC teams have the upper hand.
And yet, we see a lot of former star players struggling. This season, we have seen players take a backseat to their other teammates. Some of these players just experienced the change this season but for others, it's been a long time coming. Some of these names would have benefited if they can sign with the team of their choice because as of this moment, they are in benchwarming purgatory.
Or perhaps, some players can do better? Maybe they can play for a title contender or a team that would make them full-time starters.
Here are ten players in need of team change for the coming 2023-24 PBA season. I also listed their date of birth just in case you need to know where they are coming from.
ALEX CABAGNOT | TERRAFIRMA
20 GAMES | 8.0PPG, 3.6RPG, 4.9APG
DATE OF BIRTH | DECEMBER 8, 1982
I know he is about to turn 41 this season and maybe he's looking at Terrafirma for a possible future coaching job. With that said, Alex Cabagnot can still go. Unlike his predecessors, Cabagnot, with the exception of that torn Achilles tendon, is rarely bitten by the injury bug. In fact, this is only the second time in 17 seasons that his averages have dipped below double digits. Crunchman can still score in the clutch but Terrafirma rarely wins so what's the point? He's probably better off getting the Olsen Racela post-starter treatment in San Miguel. At least, he can protect his jersey from getting used by an up-and-coming player.
GABE NORWOOD | RAIN OR SHINE
29 GAMES | 5.0PPG, 2.9RPG, 2.3APG, 1.0SPG
DATE OF BIRTH | FEBRUARY 9, 1985
I know Gabe Norwood is a Rain or Shine lifer. Like Damian Lillard, he could have properly chased for more championships if he played for a better team. It's insane to think that Norwood only has one Mythical Second Team and two championships to show while becoming one of the country's biggest monsters on the international stage. How is it that he's dunking on Luis Scola and defending against the best of the world and yet, he barely gets minutes and touches in Rain or Shine? At the tail end of his career, maybe it's time for Norwood to just get himself a couple of titles. Rain or Shine is in rebuilding mode now and inasmuch as he's going to be a great mentor, maybe it's time for Mr. President to pad his career accomplishments as a member of a title contender.
RJ JAZUL | PHOENIX
35 GAMES | 9.2PPG, 2.2RPG, 2.4APG
DATE OF BIRTH | APRIL 11, 1986
It was as if the former Letran Knight was able to read the situation when got out of the Smart-Gilas pool before his batchmates were slowly replaced by Fil-Ams and pros. Jazul has had a great career in Phoenix and I'm pretty sure he loves his stay with the squad. But just like Gabe Norwood, he's probably on the verge of getting phased. I know Phoenix used him more with the departure of Matthew Wright but he's also 37 years old when the next season begins. Phoenix's incoming sophomores, Tyler Tio and Encho Serrano, like him, are former second-round picks. This means Phoenix is ready to resort to whatever is in their team to potentially hit a jackpot. This can be good for Jazul whose playing time would remain intact, but the last time he won a championship was in 2013. Also, he is an injury away or a coaching change from getting asked to "give way" to the youngsters. Maybe he can help Frankie Lim win one in NLEX?
STANLEY PRINGLE | GINEBRA
58 GAMES | 8.2PPG, 2.8RPG, 2.0APG
DATE OF BIRTH | MARCH 5, 1987
If you think about it, Stanley Pringle should have been an MVP because he is the only BPC winner in a shortened season. Okay, let's put an asterisk on the season but I guess I am trying to say that instead of exploiting the talents of Stan The Man, he's on the verge of taking the career path of Solomon Mercado in Ginebra. Pringle can still go but I also think the Gins are correct to develop the talents of Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray. If Pringle believes his career is on the verge of retirement and is contented with his current Ginebra role, then the die has been cast. If not, then someone needs to tell Ginebra to send to Northport in some sort of questionable trade. Maybe Joshua Munzon? But hey, maybe last season is just an anomaly?
JUSTIN MELTON | BLACKWATER
18 GAMES | 2.1PPG, 2.3RPG, 1.8APG, 1.1SPG
DATE OF BIRTH | APRIL 7, 1987
Quick Melt was never seen as a scorer and I guess he could care less about a title because he won a grand slam during his rookie year. But ever since he left the old Purefoods franchise (he was there during their San Mig Coffee, Star, and Magnolia incarnations), he has taken a backseat. Yes, he is a perennial second-stringer but he can do this as part of another team. It's almost impossible for Melton to secure a spot in a team that also has Baser Amer, JV Casio, Rashawn McCarthy, and even Mike Ayonayon.
JACKSON CORPUZ | MAGNOLIA
45 GAMES | 3.2PPG, 2.2RPG, 0.5APG
DATE OF BIRTH | FEBRUARY 8, 1989
Chito Victolero is the closest thing to Yeng Guiao in the SMC in the sense that he is looking for blue-collar talents that just need an avenue to succeed. Jackson Corpuz is pretty much their baby version of Marc Pingris. With that said, over the years his minutes have decreased. The reason why Guiao never succeeded in a big-budget franchise is that you have to use the best talents available. Victolero knows this and I guess Corpuz must know this as well, especially with the acquisition of Abu Tratter. Also, Magnolia is one of those teams that gets stronger via trade and free agency and since they missed the finals of all three conferences last season, I'm pretty sure they are looking to get more firepower from the farm teams.
BRIAN HERUELA | TNT
13 GAMES | 2.4PPG, 3.0RPG, 1.7APG, 0.9SPG
DATE OF BIRTH | APRIL 13, 1989
This is Brian Heruela's second stint with TNT. A few seasons back, it was his second stint with Blackwater. It feels as if Heruela has the tools to succeed but for some reason, he can't. Now I don't how he can solve this but one way would be for him to move to a team that would reward his hard work. Yes, I am thinking about Rain or Shine. Let's not forget that without restrictions, the former UC Webmaster can provide insane numbers. If Coach Yeng can get the best out of Raul Soyud and Philip Paniamogan, then how can he not get it from a player that once averaged about ten points, five rebounds, and five assists during his rookie year?
MIKE TOLOMIA | CONVERGE
23 GAMES | 2.6PPG, 0.9RPG, 1.0APG
DATE OF BIRTH | JANUARY 6, 1993
I actually had Jeo Ambohot here but he just signed a contract extension. Anyway, Converge is a young team with a possible starting lineup comprised of Maverick Ahanmisi, Jeron Teng, Justin Arana, Aljun Melecio (or the newly-acquired Mike Nieto), and whoever is the lucky player that they will get in the first round of the 2023 PBA Draft. Mike Tolomia had a couple of games with the squad but his production has taken a dive. This is to think that he registered his best scoring average a season prior. In PBA terms, he is also somewhat young, so he needs to find a team that would give him the playing time to strut his wares. With two picks in the draft, I can see the FiberXers getting a big man and a shooter. If this happens, the former Gilas cadet might find himself in MPBL land.
ALVIN PASAOL | MERALCO
37 GAMES | 2.5PPG, 1.1RPG, 0.3APG
DATE OF BIRTH | MAY 6, 1995
There are two Meralco players on this list who think are in need of a situation change. While the Mac Belo was the most glaring and has since been thankfully traded to Rain or Shine, Alvin Pasaol is no different. The former UE Red Warrior is an incoming third-year player and he is coming off a season in which his numbers are down. Pasaol used to be a star player in UE and I don't know if the Meralco system works for him. With Meralco turning to Luigi Trillo in the coming season, maybe this is his chance to score playing time. The scary thing about Pasaol is that he plays like former UAAP super scorer Ryan Buenafe. Let's hope his career wouldn't fall in the same predicament.
TERRENCE ROMEO | SAN MIGUEL
8 GAMES | 11.1PPG, 1.1RPG, 1.6APG
DATE OF BIRTH | MARCH 16, 1992
Terrence Romeo is the other reason why I made this blog. Mac got traded so he's out of the list but Romeo needs to find a way to get his old super flashy self back. Anyway, the acquisition of Romeo can be likened to the acquisition of Calvin Abueva. Both are alleged troublemakers that could change their attitude if only they played for winning teams. And while The Beast is a success story, Romeo has lost his luster in San Miguel. First up, when the Beermen acquired CJ Perez, you know it was impossible for Romeo to become the team's most important player... after June Mar Fajardo. And then, his injuries began to unravel. Since 2020, The Bro has only appeared in 37 games. I guess he's probably take the spot of Chris Ross and Simon Enciso but I also think a change of scenery might be better for him. And yeah, Romeo got a series of titles with the Beermen but when was the last time we have seen a Terrence Romeo mixtape? Romeo is only 31 years old and he is already entering his tenth season. I know he should chase for titles but he has the talent to overload his trophy cabinet with individual accolades. It's hard for him to do that with a souped-up lineup like San Miguel, especially for some insane reason, he can't catch a break playing for the squad.
I purposely didn't write about NLEX because as I was checking out their lineup, I noticed that they are extremely shallow with the exception of the combo guard positions. The loss of JR Quinahan and probably Asi Taulava would make their lineup insanely shallow which would make them a perfect destination for free-agent signings. Hesed Gabo and Reden Celda benefitted from the last season and as did former San Beda star Clint Doliguez. The mere fact that the Road Warriors' second-leading scorer is still an offensive talent discovered by Yeng Guiao verifies my point.
The same can be said with Northport. Yes, Northport is a mix of young and old players but it's not like the opportunities aren't there. In fact, I bet my balls that they are going to trade their star for a bunch of role players once the SMC teams determined their missing pieces. I don't know about Arwind Santos but Arvin Tolentino is an up-and-coming star who can be a valuable starter in Magnolia. Or perhaps once they are able to develop, Joshua Munzon or JM Calma, then maybe we can see another change in their roster.