MANILA – Alaska Aces started its rebuilding mode under new head coach Jeffrey Cariaso. It traded veteran forward Carl Bryan Cruz to the Blackwater Elite in exchange for rookie forward Abu Tratter.
The PBA Commissioner’s Office approved the player-swap after it was agreed upon by the Aces and the Elite last week.
Cruz, former Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team member, was sparingly used at the Aces. He could be a welcome addition to the youth-laden roster of the Elite.
At the Elite, the 28-year-old Cruz will also be reunited with fellow former Far Eastern University Tamaraws wing players Rey Mark Belo and Negrense Raymar Jose.
Tratter, who also once played for the national basketball team, will add youth to the Aces’ aging frontline that features Joachim Thoss, Vic Manuel and Negrense Siverino Baclao.
Originally selected by the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft before being sent to Elite, Tratter will join fellow former De La Salle University Green Archers’ Jeron Teng and Javee Casio at the Aces camp./PN
