The Globalport Batang Pier shipped big man Jewel Ponferrada and a 2015 second round pick to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters for forward Jervy Cruz, the PBA approved Tuesday.
The deal sees Jervy Cruz reuniting with Pido Jarencio, his collegiate head coach with the UST Growling Tigers. Cruz led the Tigers to the 69th Season of the UAAP Seniors’ Basketball crown in Jarencio’s maiden season.
Cruz averaged 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 13 minutes for 44 games with the Elasto Painters in the 2015 PBA Season. He is expected to provide the Batang Pier with offense in the frontcourt position and also space the floor with his decent mid-range game.
Globalport, however, has to find the perfect bled as Cruz will join Doug Kramer, Billy Mamaril, Mark Isip, and Prince Caperal in a loaded frontcourt rotation.
Ponferrada played sparingly for the Batang Pier, but with his addition, the Elasto Painters will get more size. Although Rain or Shine will miss Cruz’s offense, Ponferrada will be a good extra big man to back up the likes of Raymond Almazan, JR Quinahan, and Beau Belga. Moreover, the Elasto Painters can get more depth in using the second round pick, as many backcourt players including a handful of Fil-foreigners have applied for the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft.
