JERICHO Cruz finally parted ways with TnT Katropa to end a tumultuous partnership as the gungho guard was officially traded to NLEX on Monday.
The PBA Commissioner's Office approved the three-team deal that also involved NorthPort as the third party and paved the way for Cruz's reunion with his former coach at Rain or Shine, Yeng Guiao, at the NLEX camp.
Under the terms of the deal, TNT got two second-round picks from NorthPort for the 2021 and 2022 PBA drafts as well as NLEX reserve Marion Magat while NorthPort received Michael Miranda from TNT and a pair of second-round draft picks that NLEX got from previous trades (2019 pick from Phoenix and 2020 pick from Columbian).
NLEX got an additional second-round pick from NorthPort (2020) in the deal that gave the Road Warriors one of the most exciting two-guard rotations in the league once Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas return.
Cruz has already been informed about it and was thrilled to be finally out of TNT, where he had a brief and uneventful stay after being acquired from Rain or Shine for Sidney Onwubere and a 2018 first-round pick in February 2018.
The past two months have been particularly testy for the former Adamson star, who was ordered to stop attending TNT practices amid rumors of a disagreement with consultant and de facto TNT coach Mark Dickel.
The stay of Miranda at NorthPort, however, could only be shortlived as rumors have it that he will eventually be traded back to NLEX for a future pick.
Miranda can't be acquired immediately by NLEX until after the Commissioner's Cup since the former was traded by the Road Warriors to TNT just before the season as part of the Poy Erram deal.
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