BARANGAY Ginebra is about to add much-needed ceiling to its frontcourt.
The Kings, struggling with the lack of size in its frontcourt since losing Christian Standhardinger and Greg Slaughter, are set to acquire third-year big man Kemark Carino from Terrafirma in exchange for Ben Adamos.
READ Rensy Bajar takes charge as new Titan Ultra head coach
PJ Pilares of the Titan Management Group disclosed to SPIN.ph that the two teams have come to terms of the one-on-one deal.
“Yes, papers have already been passed,” said Pilares, saying the two parties are now only awaiting the approval of the PBA Commissioner's Office.
The 6-foot-8 Carino is still recovering from an ACL injury, but joining the Kings meant giving the team another additional heft and height especially with the injured Isaac Go also expected to return to active duty in the coming Commissioner’s Cup.
Pilares said the 28-year-old Carino is good to see action again by around April after suffeing an ACL injury in practice during his sophomore season last year.
The big man out of San Beda was the Dyip's second-round pick (no. 13 overall) during the Season 48 draft.
He led the league in shot blocks right in his rookie season with an average of 1.8 per game, enough for him to earn All-Defensive Team and All-Rookie Team members.
His defensive presence was a major factor for Terrafirma to make the playoffs of the Philippine Cup as the no. 8 seeded team, which forced no. 1 seed San Miguel to a do-or-die game for a spot in the semis. The Dyip lost, 110-91.
On the other hand, Adamos is a 30-year old journeyman who has had stints with Alaska, Converge, Phoenix, NLEX, NorthPort and Ginebra, who acquired him in a July 2024 one-on-one trade with the Batang Pier for Sidney Onwubere.
The 6-7 former Perpetual and San Beda big has had his moments at Ginebra but has mostly played behind Japeth Aguilar and Troy Rosario.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
