MANILA, Philippines — TNT KaTropa finally let go of Jericho Cruz, the guard they put in the freezer over the last couple of months, sending the former Adamson star to NLEX in a three-way trade with the Road Warriors and third-party NorthPort.
Under the terms, the KaTropa got a pair of second-round picks (2021 and 2022) from NorthPort and Marion Magat from NLEX, while the Batang Pier acquired Mike Miranda and two second-round picks (2019 and 2020) from NLEX, and the Road Warriors, aside from tabbing Cruz, also received a second round pick (2020) from NorthPort.
The deal was approved by PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial yesterday.
The Road Warriors welcomed the entry of Cruz, who is tipped to shore up a backcourt that’s been hurt by the absence of Kiefer Ravena (Fiba suspension) and Kevin Alas (injury).
“I expect he’d (Cruz) be excited to play,” NLEX assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa said. “He brings a lot of veteran poise in him. He’s a dynamic player who can create his own shot and penetrate – that’s what we need. His excitement is something I look forward to him showing on the court.”
Cruz is also set for a reunion with coach Yeng Guiao, who made him Rain or Shine’s first round pick in 2014. He played under Guiao for two seasons at ROS before being shipped to TNT in 2018.
His relationship with the KaTropa, however, turned rather sour the past couple of months as he was placed on the restricted free agent list.
Meanwhile, Phoenix star Matthew Wright admitted the skidding Fuel Masters have played without their usual “edge” in the face of negative press they’re dealing with and the absence of two key personnel, Calvin Abueva (indefinite suspension) and coach Louie Alas (two-game suspension).
“It seems like we’re losing a bit of our edge with Calvin gone, with coach Louie suspended a couple of games. These two guys, especially coach Louie, he’s the source of a lot of our inner toughness and will,” said Wright after Phoenix suffered its third consecutive setback, two with Alas and Abueva sitting out.
“But we can’t make excuses. I just feel like we’re losing a little bit of our edge as a team, the edge that Phoenix has been playing with the last couple of conferences. We just came a little bit softer also, they (opponents) are taking advantage of that in out-physicalling us and just beating us for those loose balls and 50-50 balls. We have to address that immediately,” he said.
Alas is set to return to active duty on Saturday against Alaska but Abueva, who averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, remains in limbo as penalty for his infractions in the game against Blackwater (disrespecting a female fan) and TNT (clotheslining Terrence Jones).