The Burger King Whoppers and the Coca-Cola Tigers opened 2010 with a major trade, swapping starters Gary David and Alex Cabagnot while throwing in Chico Lanete and Wesley Gonzales into the transaction as the French fries in the value meal.

It’s an interesting trade, and on paper, should improve both teams. The Whoppers needed a point guard not named ‘Chico Lanete’ to start for them after losing Wynne Arboleda for the season, while the Tigers didn’t have anyone who can create plays at the wing position for them. David is an elite scorer and Cabagnot is a solid point guard. On the other hand, Lanete and Gonzales are serviceable members of the rotation as long as they don’t play too many minutes.

Knowing all that, I don’t how well the trade would work out for either team. As good as David is, he’s virtually allergic to passing the ball; he makes Jojo Lastimosa look like Mother Teresa on the court. When David gets his dribble stopped on the way to the basket and he’s forced to make an entry pass into the post to Beau Belga, he looks like someone who just threw up a little in the mouth. He’ll be bringing in less order to the already chaotic Coca-Cola offense.

On the bright side, the transfer of Cabagnot would free up minutes for rookie Chris Ross, the PBA draft’s third overall pick, to show what he can do. Hopefully, he’ll play better with the added minutes; otherwise, Coca-Cola will be stuck with Lanete and Marvin Cruz running their offense. Talk about a clusterfuck.

Burger King will be getting a player who puts up solid numbers with Cabagnot, who also doubles as a pretty good defender. Cabagnot is in his fifth season in the PBA, and while he’s consistently produced as a starter with Sta. Lucia and Coke, his teams have never made it to the semis throughout his career. It makes me wonder if maybe you just can’t win in the PBA when Cabagnot is your starting point guard.

Then again, I can’t imagine a better system for him to play in than Yeng Guiao’s, who will love his size and defense, and who will give him a lot of freedom to attack on offense.

Wondering if a lefty scoring point guard can emerge under Guiao’s tutelage? I have two words for you: Paolo Hubalde.