Caperal re-signs with Gin Kings

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra has re-signed big man Prince Caperal, who chose to stay with his team instead of exercising his unrestricted free agency option.

Caperal, the backup center who stepped up big-time and played a vital role in the Gin Kings’ PBA Philippine Cup triumph in 2020, agreed to a fresh two-year deal after his contract expired last Jan. 31.

The 2020 Most Improved Player awardee and the Ginebra management had actually already started negotiation for a new contract last month but it was stalled by the pandemic-forced play suspension.

A member of the 2014 Rookie Draft Class, Caperal would have been eligible to be an UFA and test his value in the market under the pro league’s new seven-year rule.

Caperal’s renewal of ties with Ginebra came after 2014 batchmates Nards Pinto, Rodney Brondial, Matt Ganuelas Rosser and Chris Banchero bolted their respective mother clubs to head elsewhere.

Pinto joined the Gin Kings while Brondial went to San Miguel Beer and Rosser took a second tour of duty with the squad that originally drafted him, TNT. Banchero, who entered free agency just last Feb. 1, signed up with Meralco.