Trade reaction: Jervy Cruz to Ginebra

Third team after RoS
--all in one conference!
(Photo credit to the owner)

First thing is first, who is really in control?

Is it Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, plucked from right under the noses of STAR Hotshots' management to right all things wrong with the league's most popular ballclub? Or is it team manager slash San Miguel Sports Director slash "I can get you banned indefinitely by the league" slash whatever he is into these days Alfrancis Chua?

Because from where we are seated, trading Rodney Brondial and a future pick for Barako Bull Energy Cola's Jervy Cruz does not look like much of a Tim Cone move.

Brondial is 24 years of age and a true 6"5, 210 lbs. banger who loves to gobble up rebounds be it on the offensive or defensive end. On the other side, Cruz is a 29-year-old former UAAP MVP who has struggled to find a niche in the pros and generously listed at 6"5 (more 6"3-6"4) and 220 lbs. If you take Cruz' offense (and collegiate accomplishments), then sure, he's the better player. But we doubt that he was brought in for his low post moves, since Ginebra is clearly dead set on running every single play through starters 6"9 Japeth Aguilar and 7"0 Greg Slaughter.

But Brondial has a lot of upside to him, despite playing limited minutes for Ginebra his entire time there.


If you are Cruz, there is an open spot at the moment over at Ginebra for a well-rounded power forward off the bench. Brondial and Dave Marcelo were more bruisers/ enforcers, so if we are simply thinking about firepower, Cruz fits the bill. Rebounding wise, he can get the job done there as well. Being that we are from the same college, we have seen and followed Cruz' career since UST and later on Rain or Shine. We have never seen him really play alongside a "dominant" big man, so there might be an adjustment period there.

Why you ask?

Because in UST, Cruz WAS the dominant big man. At Rain or Shine, he was, well, dwarfed.

Pit stops at Global Port and Barako Bull didn't help prove anything.

For Barako Bull, they are getting a young forward/ center who knows his role and doesn't flirt with the idea of scoring unless he is given a freebie. Brondial, if he can get minutes, will be a favorite among Barako's collection of scorers-- Josh Urbiztondo, RR Garcia, JC Intal, Mac Baracael to name a few since he will hustle for the rebounds and do all the dirty work despite his boyish looks.

Your thoughts on the trade? Who won? And how about Barako Bull getting a player AND A PICK for one of their players? Wow.