by Dave Albarado
CBC is now a Katropa
The PBA has approved the trade which sends Carl Brian Cruz (CBC) to Talk N Text Tropang Giga in exchange for Jay Washington and picks.
Chor Reyes, coach of TnT, really wanted to get CBC, as the guy can really stretch the floor with his shooting abililty and another ability to create defensive mismatches at the wings especially during pick and roll or pick and pop situations.
TnT, we can say, got the better deal as Washington is at the twilight of his career. He is no longer the Jay Washington we saw back in San Miguel, Northport, Rain or Shine or even Air 21.
Of course, Blackwater gets a pair of future draft picks in 2022 and 2025. Originally, CBC is traded in exchange with Mark Acuno and Chris Javier plus a pick.
Cruz, the stretch 4, or stretch power forward out of Far Eastern University (FEU), has been a mainstay of Gilas Pilipinas mentored by Chot Reyes, coincidentally coaching TnT.
More on trades, Meralco sent Travis Jackson in exchange for Franky Johnson. Meralco announced the transaction yesterday, Dec. 4, 2021,
Johnson moves to his 2nd team after he was picked out by Rain or Shine as the 17th overall pick in the 2021 Rookie Draft.
Moreover, Jackson was Meralco’s 5th pick in the 2019 Rookie Draft.
Meralco’s team manager Paolo Trillo said that the Bolts are wishing Jackson the beat of luck with his new team.
It seems that as we end the 46th season and moving forward to the next one, the PBA is busy with trades.
However, the most exciting event in the league is the free agency market, which will make the independent teams like Alaska or Rain or Shine get superstars to beef up their existing core and finally challenge the rich teams under the aegis of the San Miguel group or the Manny Pangilinan teams.