Season 50 of the PBA is just two weeks away, and we have so far broken down the offseasons of two emerging contenders (Converge FiberXers and Magnolia Hotshots) and two bottom feeders (Terrafirma Dyip and Blackwater Bossing). Now, we take a deeper look at the offseasons of two perennial title favorites: Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and TNT Tropang 5G.
The thing with Ginebra and TNT, though, is that neither needs to make big or splashy moves to continue being the league’s crème de la crème. Put simply, a tweak here, a minor change there could be all each needs to maintain its status as a contender. But it has to be the right move, or else the teams’ championship core could be disrupted. That being said, both Ginebra and TNT have mostly stood pat this offseason and might have lost out in the process.
Let’s take a closer look then:
TNT Tropang 5G (Grade: C–)
Last Season: 50 wins, 25 losses (Won the championship of the Governors’ Cup and the Commissioner’s Cup, finished runner-up in the Philippine Cup.)
Key Offseason Moves:
- Signed Kevin Ferrer from free agency.
- Drafted Sean Quitevis (35th) and Joe Celzo (46th) in the PBA Season 50 Draft.
TNT is a team already loaded with talent—and at every position at that. In fact, the core of Jordan Heading, Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Kelly Williams, Rey Nambatac, Glenn Khobuntin, and the comeback Jayson Castro is arguably one of the best in the league.
But after falling one championship short of a Grand Slam, fans are certainly hoping the Tropa upgrade their lineup to get the job done in Season 50. Jojo Lastimosa did that to a certain degree at least by signing free agent Kevin Ferrer, whose strengths—three-point shooting and ferocious defense—fit right in with the TNT culture.
That is the Tropa’s only offseason move of consequence thus far, and it unfortunately doesn’t address TNT’s most glaring need: another big man. With Poy Erram likely out for the entirety of Season 50 due to a torn ACL he suffered in the Philippine Cup Finals, the Tropang 5G’s big man rotation has become thinner and less formidable, with the 42-year-old Kelly Williams and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser expected to carry most of the load as Henry Galinato Jr. remains unproven as a rotation player.
Of course, with still two weeks left before Season 50 tips off, TNT can still make moves to upgrade what’s already a deep and talented roster. In this case, expect the Tropa to prioritize finding a big to take Erram’s place—and maybe even look at adding another explosive playmaker.
For the meantime, TNT gets a grade of “C–” for being relatively quiet this offseason.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (Grade: D–)
Last Season: 44 wins, 25 losses (Finished runner-up in the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup, lost in the semifinals of the Philippine Cup.)
Key Offseason Moves:
- Let LA Tenorio go to coach Magnolia.
- Got Johnny Abarrientos as assistant coach.
- Lost Jamie Malonzo to the Japan B. League.
- Drafted Sonny Estil (11th), Mario Barasi (13th), and John Abis (23rd) in the PBA Season 50 Draft. Signed Estil and Abis, let go of Barasi.
- Let go of Von Pessumal.
After another title-less season, quite a lot of fans expected Ginebra to make big moves this offseason. Instead, the Barangay brass has literally stood pat even as they lost key personnel. So far, Ginebra let LA Tenorio go to coach the Magnolia Hotshots, lost Jamie Malonzo to the Japan B. League, and released Von Pessumal.
So, what has Ginebra done to improve the team?
Well, Ginebra added via the PBA Draft an athletic 6-foot-3 wing in Sonny Estil, who’s also a play-alike of current Ginebra player Jayson David. Other than that, the Barangay has done nothing—no free-agent signings, no trades whatsoever—unless you count getting Johnny Abarrientos as assistant coach from Magnolia.
The only logical explanation for Ginebra standing pat is that Tim Cone and his coaching staff are expecting the team to improve from within. Maybe RJ Abarrientos makes a leap with Tito Johnny guiding him. Maybe Stephen Holt becomes more of a two-way force after one season with Ginebra. Maybe Jeremiah Gray rediscovers his game and Jayson David continues making strides. Maybe Isaac Go returns sooner from his ACL injury. Maybe continuity makes a difference this time.
Unfortunately, that’s a lot of “maybes” for a team with championship aspirations. It’s also a team in need of another big man and a tall wing—and neither of those needs has been addressed adequately so far. But again, the offseason isn’t over, and there’s still time for Ginebra to make a move or two. Until then, the Barangay’s offseason grade is “D–.”
