DESPITE acquiring three players in the Stanley Pringle trade, NorthPort will be playing with a depleted lineup in a game against Rain or Shine in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday.
Sol Mercado, Kevin Ferrer, and Jervy Cruz won't be suiting up for the Batang Pier in their 4:30 p.m. encounter with the Elasto Painters at the Mall of Asia Arena since all three have yet to join the team in practice since the trade with Barangay Ginebra.
The three were acquired Tuesday in a blockbuster deal that had the Batang Pier sending former top gunner Stanley Pringle to the Kings.
Team management said the trio will see action in the team's next game against Blackwater on Saturday.
Their absence further crippled an already injury-laden NorthPort side which has four other players - Nico Elorde, Jonathan Grey, Bradwyn Guinto, and Ryan Arana - on the injured list.
Still the Batang Pier have managed to stay competitive and good enough to be in second place with a 5-1 (win-loss) slate.
Rain or Shine, on the other hand, will be without James Yap, who is out with a groin injury.
