Ginebra lands Aguilar; Petron trades Washington

Japeth Aguilar and Jay Walsh. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — After its Cinderella run fell short, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel hopes its newest acquisition would help them go all the way.

The Kings landed athletic forward Japeth Aguilar in a four-team deal that also sent Jay Washington out of Petron Blaze Tuesday.

Ginebra, who got swept by Alaska in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals last May, got the lanky six-foot-nine Aguilar after trading Elmer Espiritu for Barako Bull’s 2013 first round pick before using the pick along with rookie big man Yousef Taha in exchange for the former Global Port slotman.

Taha, who has great upside with his size and passing ability for a center, wasn’t the only player the Batang Pier got.

After a forgettable Commissioner’s Cup stint, Global Port acquired the six-foot-six veteran Washington to add another scoring threat and size upfront to compliment Gary David and Sol Mercado.

The Boosters received Jason Deutchman, a stretch four who can also drive to the basket, and the Batang Pier’s 2016 and 2017 second round picks.

Espiritu now joins Ronjay Buenafe and Gilbert Bulawan, who were acquired by the Energy Cola last Monday in a three-team trade.