joseph-yeo-trade-with-bonbon-custodio

Photo Credit: symbianize.com

The trade rumors giving a clue that an infiltrator and a mercenary (referring to a ninja) might just join the San Miguel Beermen camp became a reality last night as trade news of Joseph Yeo officially traded to the Beermen for Bonbon Custodio was confirmed last night.

The move shores up the San Miguel Beermen small guard position. Offense-wise, Joseph Yeo can give us additional points per game. More than anything else, his fearless slashing ability and penetration of the shaded is something so valuable – something that we missed so badly in the series against Purefoods where most of our guards except Denok, dared not get into for the fear of being blocked and clobbered by Purefoods big and long bigmen.

Joseph Yeo is also an upgrade from the inconsistent and small Bonbon Custodio, who is a defensive liability when facing taller teams. Yeo’s entry also lightens up the burden on Dondon Hontiveros’ shoulders having to defend offensive-minded small guards in the league (the likes of James Yap, Mark Caguioa, and Mark Cardona) while at the same time expected to deliver points for the team. Joseph Yeo can certainly do such thing with his decent performance in Sta. Lucia.

If you are wondering why Sta. Lucia let this happen, why not see the trend. First, they let go of Dennis Espino then Denok Miranda – players who are receiving high salary. Based on reports, Joseph Yeo is also receiving a maximum salary so that gives you a clue that the Realtors franchise is having some financial problems. If I have to guess the reports in the newspaper that not one but two teams are contemplating on selling their franchise, the Sta. Lucia Realtors could be one of them.

I suspect that this could not be Joseph Yeo‘s last stop for a trade but just like what happened to the rumored Alex Cabagnot to Ginebra for Cyrus Baguio trade, it will not push through until a conduit team is willing to participate. Since the opening of the 2010 Fiesta Conference is just a few days away, I think Joseph Yeo will have to stay for the Beermen this conference. Again, if Alex Cabagnot and Joseph Yeo clicks with the team, then trading them is out of the picture in the offseason – which means goodbye for those wanting Cyrus Baguio in San Miguel Beermen uniform.

Full trade news story was provided by Nelson Beltran of The Philippine Star below:

SMB sends Custodio to SLR for Yeo
By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star) Updated March 17, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel Beer continued to rebuild its aging lineup, acquiring Joseph Yeo from Sta. Lucia in exchange for Bonbon Custodio five days before the opening of the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen, who settled for third place after losing to the eventual champions Purefoods Giants in the recent Philippine Cup, have bolstered their backcourt rotation with Yeo’s acquisition, which came on the heels of an earlier trade deal involving Alex Cabagnot and Mike Cortez.

Yeo, a former La Salle standout, blossomed into a fine playmaker with Sta. Lucia after a forgettable stint with Coca-Cola in the 2006-07 campaign.

In his second season with Sta. Lucia last year, Yeo effectively played his off-the-bench role, winding up as the team’s second-best scorer behind Kelly Williams with a 13.5-point average.

He also normed 3.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in a remarkable season, prompting the team management to give him a three-year contract-extension worth the maximum pay allowed in the league.

Meanwhile, Custodio, a product of University of the East, is in his second year in the pro league, also playing the off-the-bench role creditably.

The only rookie in the star-studded, talent-laden Beermen squad last year, Custodio performed well to earn a spot on the All-Rookie selection by the PBA Press Corps. He played for San Miguel’s farm team in the PBL before being elevated to the pro ranks. He was the eighth pick in the 2008 annual draft.