Carl Bryan Cruz and rookie Abu Tratter will now look to capitalize on their new surroundings after the PBA Commissioner’s Office approved on Friday the trade consummated by Alaska and Blackwater earlier this week.
Under the terms of the deal, the Aces agreed to ship Cruz, who is currently in his third pro season, to the Elite in exchange for the seventh pick of last year’s PBA Rookie Draft.
Sources said the trade was already finalized by both teams last week before PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial gave the deal a go.
Cruz will get an opportunity to shine with Blackwater after spending inconsistent minutes since being taken by Alaska in the first round of the 2016 draft.
The former Gilas Pilipinas member averaged 5.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in nearly 14 minutes during the Commissioner’s Cup when the Aces were eliminated in the quarterfinals by TNT KaTropa.
He led the team in scoring during the Philippine Cup with 12.7 points while producing 5.2 points and 1.2 assists.
Tratter averaged 10.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals for the Elite in the Philippine Cup under coach Bong Ramos but his minutes dipped from 24.4 to 14.0 in the Commissioner’s Cup and 3.9 points and 2.1 boards.
The trade is the latest change to hit the Aces camp after team owner Fred Uytengsu told coach Alex Compton to resign after five seasons at the helm while naming Jeffrey Cariaso as replacement. (Jonas Terrado)
