GlobalPort ships Jervy Cruz to Barako for Maierhofer

MANILA, Philippines –  GlobalPort continues its roster-tweaking, just days before the opening of the PBA’s 41st season after shipping veteran forward Jervy Cruz to Barako Bull in exchange for Rico Maierhofer.

The trade was approved by Office of the Commissioner Monday afternoon.

The 6-foot-4 Cruz, who spent his first five seasons with Rain or Shine, was actually traded to GlobalPort two months ago, reuniting him with Pido Jarencio, his college coach at the University of Santo Tomas.

But the Batang Pier became just a pit stop for the 2007 UAAP Most Valuable Player.

Cruz will join veteran big man Mick Pennisi, along with young slotmen Prince Caperal and Yutien Andrada in Barako Bull’s front court.

On the other hand, Maierhofer, the second overall pick in the 2009 PBA Draft, will be moving to his fifth team as a pro.

The former La Salle forward will be joining GlobalPort’s beefy frontline of Dorian Pena, Billy Mamaril and Doug Kramer.

The Batang Pier are tipped as a darkhorse in the incoming new PBA season given their stacked-up guard rotation of Terrence Romeo, reigning Rookie of the Year Stanley Pringle and veteran two-guard Joseph Yeo.