If you would ask former PBA commissioner Noli Eala, he believes that teams should always aim to win.
Eala said that while teams "will do everything to win," the league should ensure the fairness of trades amid the controversial pending transaction that will ship Terrafirma star CJ Perez to San Miguel Beer.
"PBA teams will do everything to win. That's inherent in competition. It's up to the PBA to ensure the propriety in trades that are supposed to achieve that goal while keeping league integrity," said Eala through his Twitter account.
The sixth PBA chief, who served from 2003 to 2007, even took a swipe at teams which are allegedly not serious in competing.
"Now those that have no intention of winning championships have no business in being in the PBA."
On Friday, reports about the Dyip ace guard Perez moving to the Beermen for three bench players and a first round pick in the upcoming Draft circulated and sparked mixed reactions from fans, mostly negative comments.
Terrafirma governor Bobby Rosales confirmed to Manila Bulletin reporter Waylon Galvez the trade involving Perez and SMB's Gelo Alolino, Russel Escoto, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and the No. 8 pick in the draft was already filed.
Only the approval from PBA's committee for trades assigned by current commissioner Willie Marcial is needed to finalize the transaction.
“Mahirap na desisyon yan. Alam natin na magaling si CJ but we have to complete the missing pieces on the team, and we all agreed (management and coaching staff) that the forthcoming draft is rich in talent," said the PBA board vice chairman.
(It's a hard decision. We know that CJ is an exceptional playet but we have to complete the missing pieces on the team, and we all agreed that the forthcoming draft is rich in talent.)
“We have the top pick, and if the PBA approves the deal, we’ll get the No. 8 pick. Because after the No. 1 pick our next turn to select is No. 25, masyadong malayo (it's too far already). So we’d like to get the better talent," he added.
Among the prospects in the draft that drew 97 applicants are potential top pick Joshua Munzon and fellow top 3x3 players Alvin Pasaol, Santi Santillan and Troy Rike.