Ginebra ships Balanza, swaps second-round draft picks with NorthPort

NorthPort and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, a week removed from the celebrated swap involving Christian Standhardinger and Greg Slaughter, agreed on another trade Friday, March 12.
Ginebra sent incoming sophomore Jerrick Balanza and its second round pick (24th overall) in Sunday’s draft to NorthPort in exchange for its second round selection (13th overall) in a deal approved by the PBA’s trade committee.
Balanza, who had a bit part in Ginebra’s title run during last season’s Philippine Cup bubble, will head to the Batang Pier where he will reunite with team manager Bonnie Tan and assistant coach Jeff Napa.
Tan was Balanza’s coach when Letran orchestrated an improbable NCAA title run in 2019 by defeating arch rival San Beda in the Finals.
Napa, on the other hand, handled Balanza from 2016 to 2018, the same year that saw the young guard miss the remainder of Season 94 due to a brain tumor.
With a new team, Balanza hopes to get more chances to showcase the talents he flaunted during his collegiate career.
The 25-year-old played a total of 39 minutes during his 10-game appearance during the lone conference of the shortened 45th season.
By moving up, Ginebra will get a chance to get the best players available twice once it’s their turn to pick in the virtual draft proceedings.
The Kings hold the 12th and final pick of the first round and will get to choose first in the second round after getting the Batang Pier’s selection in the deal.