MANILA, Philippines — Terrafirma Dyip governor Bobby Rosales reiterated that the decision to trade star player CJ Perez to San Miguel Beer was part of their strategy to “complete the team.”
The Dyip agreed to ship the explosive Perez to the Beermen to acquire role players Matt Ganuelas Rosser, Gelo Alolino and Russel Escoto plus SMB’s first-round (No. 8) pick in the PBA Rookie Draft on March 14.
If approved by the Commissioner’s Office, Rosales said the new additions should fill up the “missing pieces” that will help the Dyip become more competitive.
“Pinakawalan nga si CJ pero ang sinasabi namin, mas marami kang makukuhang magaling na magkakatulung-tulungan din (We let go of Perez but we would get talented players who can considerably help the team as a unit),” Rosales said in yesterday’s The Chasedown program on Cignal TV.
“Of course, mahirap ikumpara si CJ kahit let’s say sa isang player o dalawang players (we can’t compare Perez with any or even two players) but yung strategy kasi is to complete the team. Maraming butas eh (There’s a lot of holes to fill in),” he added.
Rosales said the opportunity to stack up the roster through the talent-laden Rookie Draft was also too good to pass up on.
Already owning the No. 1 pick, Terrafirma will also get to capitalize on SMB’s regular slot at eighth to tab a second blue-chip recruit in the first round. The Dyip though won’t get to pick until the third round as they had traded their rights in Round 2 in a previous deal.
“Malaking bagay sa amin yung No. 8 pick kasi iisa lang pick namin sa first round (The No. 8 pick is a big boost to us because we would have had just one pick in the first two rounds),” he said.
“If the draft isn’t this deep, it would have changed the complexion of our decision. We don’t want to miss out on this opportunity,” added the Dyip exec, whose team is looking to shore up its frontline.
The proposed Terrafirma-SMB swap is still being evaluated by the PBA’s trade committee.
Rosales is aware that the trade proposal has drawn criticisms from fans on social media. But the Dyip are standing pat on what they felt was a legit strategic move.
“Some people may not agree with our strategy but I’m hoping, we’re hoping it will work,” he said.