by Dave Albarado
TnT gets CBC in a trade to bolster its line up?
Reports say that Talk N Text is working to acquire the services of Carl Bryan Cruz known as CBC in a 3-man trade with Blackwater. Blackwater will be getting Chris Javier and a future pick. Blackwater will be sending seldom-used Mark Acuno to TnT to complete the trade.
CBC has been a fixture in Gilas Pilipinas during the time of Chot Reyes at the helm of the national team. CBC played in Lebanon for Fiba Asia 2017 and even in some of the windows leading to the 2019 Fiba World Cup China.
Reports say that the PBA Trade Committee has yet to approve the trade but if it pushes through, then TnT will have someone that can fill the role of a Ranidel de Ocampo and perhaps allow Kelly Williams to retire for good.
CBC is injury prone but he is surely an asset for the dribble drive of the current All-Filipino champions as he is able to space the floor well. He can be a great catch-and-shoot player ala Klay Thompson when the likes of Mikey Williams or Jayson Castro drive to the basket.
CBC is known to have the shooting touch from the perimeter and known also as a hard nose defender.
CBC will help the frontline rotation of TnT with JP Erram at the helm.
Now, off to Magnolia as it eyes big man James Laput in exchange for Justine Melton and Kyle Pascual. Laput, a 6-foot-10 center from La Salle, will become the heir apparent of Rafi Reavis who is nearing the end of his career.