San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua considers Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s acquisition of injured rookie Jeremiah Gray from Terrafirma as a risk the team is willing to take.
The Gin Kings made a move shortly after the Rookie Draft to get Gray, who was chosen as the second pick by the Dyip, in exchange for No. 8 selection Javi Gomez de Liano.
Ginebra also gave up incoming sophomore Brian Enriquez in order to complete the deal which the PBA approved about two weeks ago.
Gray’s addition came despite his ongoing recovery from an ACL injury which he sustained while playing for TNT in last year’s PBA 3x3 first conference.
“Sabi lamang kami sa trade, but we don’t know,” Chua said following a press conference held Monday, May 30 at Conrad Manila in Pasay City. “Mamaya pagdating sa amin baka yung isa maikisi paa. We don’t know if he’s fit to play like before.
“Di natin alam baka pagdating dito, like sa ibang player, na ACL, after a few months na ACL uli. Gamble ito e. Parang singer yan, nung kumuha ka ng magaling na singer nung araw, nung kinuha mo uli, di mo alam kung ganun parin ang boses niya or sintunado na.
“Again some teams in the PBA can afford, pwede mag-antay,” added Chua.
There’s high hopes on Gray, who before getting hurt has made a strong impression during stints with Mighty Sports Philippines in international tournaments and Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League.
That is why Chua and the Gin Kings are willing to wait, knowing Gray’s credentials.
“Knowing him na OK siya, good for us, malaking addition yan,” he said. “Magkakaroon uli ng isa pang athletic (player) ang Ginebra.”