Dorian Peña is headed back to a San Miguel Corporation-owned squad, Jay-R Reyes will have an opportunity to play for a champion squad as his chase for a first title continues, and Justin Chua will finally get a chance to showcase his wares.
These three players were involved in a trade that was agreed upon on Monday and they will report to their new teams on Tuesday. Sources who have knowledge of the deal broke the news to Tiebreaker Times.
Peña will be going to a Barangay Ginebra team that has yet to win in the Commissioner’s Cup. He’ll give the squad the rebounding and toughness it lacks.
“Kailangan ng tapang sa ilalim. Malalaki nga yung Ginebra pero madalas naman naa-outrebound pa sila,” said one of the sources who refused to be identified.
The Gin Kings are owners of the league’s tallest frontline, but they just couldn’t get things done in the first two games.
Reyes, still searching for his first PBA title, will go to San Miguel Beer and is expected to play alongside June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos.
A 6-foot-7 center/forward, Reyes will be a welcome addition to the newly-crowned Philippine Cup champions.
Chua, on the other hand, will get good minutes now that he’s been traded to Barako Bull.
A big man with a decent touch from the perimeter, Chua can complement Barako Bull’s solid game. The Energy, behind the solid presence of Solomon Alabi, the heady quarterbacking of Sol Mercado, and good contributions lately from Chico Lanete, Dave Marcelo and Jake Pascual, have won their first two games in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“Justin will be a good pick up for Barako Bull. He’s got good shooting touch and he’s tall as well,” another source said. “Bata rin siya, so pakikinabangan ng matagal.”
