B Bull defends trade of rookies for veterans

MANILA, Philippines - Barako Bull expressed confidence it will contend for the playoffs in the coming PBA season as the team management parried criticisms on their trade moves during the last rookie draft.

Meanwhile, Globalport appointed Richie Ticzon as interim head coach after the management failed to strike a deal with top choices Alex Compton and Nash Racela.

After a meeting Friday night, the Globalport management agreed to let coach Junel Baculi focus on his responsibilities as athletic director at National U.

Globalport team owner Mikee Romero made the announcement before their tune-up match with Alaska Milk yesterday. Ticzon, a seven-year PBA player, and the Batang Pier drubbed the Aces, 102-92.

Barako top team official Raffy Casyao said they dealt away their three top first-round picks for tested veterans as they’re determined to make an immediate impact and get immediate result.

“We’re down in the ladder and we have no luxury of time to wait,” said Casyao. “It’s our strategy. It’s hard to say whether it’s right. Time will tell just like on whether top seed Greg Slaughter will perform well.”

Casyao defended their acquisitions of Rico Maierhofer, Willy Wilson, Mark Isip and Denok Miranda on trade deals where they gave up opportunities to pick the likes of RR Garcia, Terrence Romeo and James Forrester.

“We understand that the draft was one of the richest in terms of talent, but again, we’d rather not gamble on just acquiring fresh players, still required to get trained and linger until they mature,” said Casyao.

“Acquiring Maierhofer, Wilson, Isip and Miranda was a choice we made for our picks because we feel they will form such an ideal combination of witty big men, who we believe, will never be fulfilled by our fourth, fifth and sixth picks,” Casyao also said.

Casyao and coach Bong Ramos said it was given a deep thought and deliberated upon.

“Maierhofer alone can outmatch some of the best players in the last draft. He was a former second pick and, at the same time, a Rookie of the Year. Wilson has proven his worth at any team he plays in, rendering quality minutes. Isip, our former player, is a reliable big man who, we think, only needs enough break,” Casyao explained.

“Miranda was a Gilas Pilipinas invitee, who is a premier point guard with vast championship experience,” Casyao added.