New Tropang Giga faces tough task

Carl Bryan Cruz is facing a tough assignment as he suits up for TNT Tropang Giga in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup starting next week.

Tropang Giga head coach Chot Reyes told Daily Tribune that Cruz is going to play a huge role in their rotation as he is set to fill the void created by the absence of Troy Rosario in the early stretch of the reinforced conference.

Reyes said the 28-year-old Rosario will be doubtful as he is still recovering from a spinal shock he suffered in the finals of the recent Philippine Cup in Pampanga.

“First of all, it will be a while until Troy can play due to his injury. So if CBC (Cruz) assimilates quickly, he can fill that role immediately,” Reyes said in a text message.

“He still doesn’t have full sensation on his leg from the spinal shock, plus a pulled hamstring.”

Cruz, who was Reyes’ former ward in Gilas Pilipinas, was shipped from Blackwater in exchange for veteran Jay Washington and a pair of second round picks for the 2022 and 2025 rookie drafts.

But TNT faces a string of injuries that has been hampering its buildup.

Jayson Castro, Kelly Williams, Brian Heruela and Dave Marcelo are all nursing various injuries while American import McKenzie Moore suffered a jumper’s knee (inflamed patellar tendon) during their training last week.

Sophomore guard Kib Montalbo, meanwhile, will no longer be activated this conference after undergoing surgery from a meniscus tear.

With that, Reyes said the only thing they can do right now is to make the best out of their remaining players as they chase their second title this year.

“We are being cautious. It remains to be seen if he’ll (Cruz) fit into our scheme of things,” Reyes said.

Meralco and Rain or Shine, meanwhile, figured in a one-on-one trade deal with only a few days left before the games begin.

The Bolts sent Trevis Jackson to the Elasto Painters in exchange for rookie guard Franky Johnson.

The 23-year-old Jackson spent two and a half years with Meralco after getting selected fifth overall in the 2018 Rookie Draft, while Johnson was drafted 17th early this year.

In a statement, Bolts team manager Paolo Trillo wished Jackson good luck on his looming stint with Rain or Shine.