Cruz joins Tropang Giga
TNT Tropang Giga boosted its roster as it acquired Carl Bryan Cruz from Blackwater for the upcoming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup next week.
PBA deputy commissioner and trade committee member Eric Castro made the confirmation, saying that the 6-foot-3 swingman has been shipped to the Tropang Giga in exchange for veteran Jay Washington and a pair of second round picks in the 2022 and 2025 Annual Rookie Draft.
Castro said the deal was a revised version of the previous proposal that initially included Blackwater rookie Mark Acuno and TNT big man Chris Javier. “We have already approved the trade. Blackwater will get two future picks plus Jay Washington, so I think that’s fair enough for now,” Castro said. The 30-year-old Cruz will be reunited with Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes, who was his former Gilas Pilipinas mentor a couple of years ago.
The former Far Eastern University star was part of the men’s national team under Reyes from 2016 to 2018. After suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for two seasons, Cruz was activated by the Bossing in the middle of the Philippine Cup in Pampanga. He, however, was a non-factor as Blackwater went on to absorb a dismal 0-11 mark in the all-Filipino battle.
At TNT, he is expected to provide additional firepower at the frontcourt bannered by Poy Erram, Troy Rosario and Kelly Williams as they seek another title after an impressive run in the Philippine Cup. Meanwhile, Blackwater’s rebuilding program gets a massive boost with its acquisition of the 40-year old Washington. The former top overall pick in 2005, however, saw very limited action with TNT as he played only a single game in the recent conference.
It was the Bossing’s fourth trade deal since their fruitless campaign in the Philippine Cup. They also acquired JV Casio and Barkley Eboña from Alaska, Rashawn McCarthy from Terrafirma and Mike Ayonayon and Will McAloney from NLEX.