OFFICIALS of Hapee Toothpaste and Mail And
More have come to an amicable solution regarding their
tug-o-war for reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player Jervy Cruz of
University of Santo Tomas, paving the way for Cruz’s grand
debut with the Complete Protectors in the PBL Unity Cup
starting on Feb. 23.
In a meeting to tackle the issue, Mail And
More, which drafted the 6-foot-5 Cruz in last year’s PBL draft
but left him unsigned during the one-week grace period, agreed
to drop its claim on the UST star in exchange for Hapee’s
first round pick in the Rookie Draft in September.
Cruz, drafted No. 2 overall last year
behind Fil-Am Gabe Norwood, is acknowledged as the most
fearsome scorer among the current crop of big men in the
amateur ranks.
Commissioner Chino Trinidad commended both
teams for settling the ownership issue, saying the deal forged
between Hapee’s Dr. Cecilio Pedro and Mail And More’s Lito
Alvarez proven once again the deep-seated relationship among
members of the PBL Board.
"While it was difficult for Mail and Mail
to pass up on a player as talented as Cruz, I’m glad they gave
up their bid to get Cruz," said Trinidad. "That, for me, is an
ultimate sacrifice. I really appreciate their action."
After being left unsigned by the Comets,
Cruz opted to join Hapee.
Explaining the team’s decision to pursue
Cruz, coach Allan Gregorio reasoned out they did not sign the
UST King Tiger last conference because he couldn’t play for
the team anyway. All members of the Philippine team that time,
except for Gabe Norwood, Harbour Centre’s Al Vergara and
Toyota Otis’ Erick Rodriguez, were prohibited by the league to
play for their mother teams to enable them to focus at the
task at hand.
Gregorio accepted the decision and added he
had already talked with Cruz.
"I’ve already sent him a text message and
we’ve patched things up. I also wished him good luck," said
Gregorio. "We could be a strong contender if Jervy is around.
But that’s life. We have to move on and hope for the best."
In the last conference, Mail And More,
bannered by University of the East hotshot Marcy Arellano,
finished fourth.
"With practically the same line-up and the same approach,
we hope to pull off some surprises," said Gregorio.
