Peña, Cruz, Sharma back to old teams

MANILA, Philippines – Dorian Peña has rejoined the San Miguel Corp. flagship ballclub Petron Blaze while Carlo Sharma and Celino Cruz have found their way back to Barako Bull.

And a reliable source said more trade deals could be reached between now and the next PBA season.

For now, PBA commissioner Chito Salud approved this Petron-Barako trade deal involving Peña, Sharma and Cruz, but not the one agreed upon by Powerade and Barako involving Doug Kramer and Jondan Salvador.

Salud vetoed the Kramer-Salvador deal, sending the trade papers back to the teams involved for possible revisions to make it more balanced.

Kramer has emerged as a major frontline force at Powerade while Salvador is just a reserve forward at Barako playing behind the likes of Peña, Mick Pennisi, Don Allado and Danny Seigle.

After re-emerging as a huge inside presence at Barako, Peña was shipped back to Petron in exchange for Sharma and Cruz.

Upon his recovery from injury, Peña helped the Energy to a semifinals finish in the 2012 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The two-time Mythical First Team awardee was among the package sent by Petron to Barako Bull in 2011 for then top rookies Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.

Curiously, Petron has also dealt away Al-Hussaini and Guevarra.

Sharma and Cruz will also be wearing familiar uniforms, having been both with the original Barako Bull (Red Bull) and the Burger King (later Air21) squads.

Cruz had a brief layover at Petron after being acquired from Powerade as part of the Marcio Lassiter trade.