MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk and Barangay Ginebra figured in a blockbuster mid-season trade yesterday, swapping All-Star players Willie Miller and Cyrus Baguio two days before the resumption of the PBA Fiesta Conference after the All-Star festivities.
The managements of the two teams said they gave in to the wishes of Miller and Baguio themselves with their agent Danny Espiritu pushing for the trade.
“Aside from being a great player, Willie is one of the real good guys in the league and we’re going to really miss him, me specially. But he made it known to us for the last couple of years that he wanted to be traded,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.
“Miller is a welcome addition to us. I just wished it wasn’t for Cyrus,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
Baguio, meanwhile, wanted out of Ginebra as he’d been relegated as third or fourth man at wing spot, playing behind Mark Caguioa, JC Intal and Ronald Tubid.
“We really didn’t want to let go of Willie. We just gave in to his wish. Hopefully, things get better. For one, I think Cyrus is a better defensive player,” said Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo.
“We believe Cyrus can supply us some youth and quickness in our backcourt. His ability to get in the open court and finish will add a new dimension to our style of play,” said Cone.
PBA watchers believed Ginebra gained a better deal with the entry of Miller in place of Baguio making the Kings’ lineup more balanced.
They said the deal made the Ginebra backcourt a lot more formidable with Uichico having at his disposal Miller, Jayjay Helterbrand, Mark Caguioa, Celino Cruz and Tubid.
Miller had been with Alaska in the last five years, averaging 12.5 points in 2005-06, 19.1 in 2006-07, 20.7 in 2007-08 and 16.5 in 2008-09. However, there were reports he has been unhappy with the Aces.
“ Don’t got me wrong I will work hard to prove myself again,” Miller said.
During his stint with Alaska, Miller won the MVP award in 2006 and made the Mythical Selection from 2006-2009.
Baguio, meanwhile, moved over from Red Bull to Ginebra at mid-season last year when the Kings were badly crippled at wing spots minus Caguioa and Junthy Valenzuela.
Through his first six seasons in the league, the former UST star averaged 10.0 points per game. He had his breakout season in 2007-08 where he made the Mythical Second Team, averaging a career-best 18.0 points per outing.
Both were with the Powerade RP team that placed seventh in the 2009 FIBA Asia men’s championship in Tianjin, China.