MANILA, Philippines — Long in the freezer at TNT, guard Jericho Cruz may finally get unfrozen if a reported three-way trade among the KaTropa, NLEX and NorthPort pushes through.
Cruz, who has played only a handful of games this season and was placed in the injured/reserve list, is reportedly set to the traded to the Road Warriors with the Batang Pier as conduit and with TNT big man Mike Miranda, NLEX’s Marion Magat and a draft pick also involved.
According to reports, the agreement was already signed and would be transmitted to the PBA Commissioner’s Office for approval.
NLEX has made known its desire to tab the former Adamson star to boost its backcourt,which has been missing Kiefer Ravena (suspension) and Kevin Alas (injury).
“Jericho has been on the trading block for a while now and was placed in the freezer by TNT, right? So we’re just waiting for the right trade package to get him,” NLEX assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa said after the Road Warriors’ 105-120 loss to Columbian recently.
“We’re working on it. We’ve been waiting a long time to make it happen,” he added.
If it materializes, Cruz will have a reunion with coach Yeng Guiao, who made him Rain or Shine’s first round pick in 2014. He played under Guiao for two years at ROS before being shipped to TNT.