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The rich get richer as Ginebra acquired the services of hardworking sophomore Art dela Cruz from Blackwater.
The deal, which is set to be approved this Thursday afternoon, will send dela Cruz and Raymond Aguilar to the Elite in exchange for Chris Ellis and Dave Marcelo from the Gin Kings.
Both Ginebra team manager Reyboy Rodriguez and Blackwater team manager Johnson Martines confirmed the trade.
Dela Cruz has averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals in his second year in the league, but missed the import-laden conferences due to his ruptured Achilles injury after being selected to be a part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool.
His entry to Ginebra will be a shot in the arm for the squad, which is betting on its youth with Scottie Thompson, Kevin Ferrer, and Aljon Mariano in tow.
Blackwater, meanwhile, will receive serviceable forward Marcelo and the high-flying Ellis, who is looking to get the biggest break of his career with his new team.
Ellis has been averaging 3.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 13.12 minutes this conference for Ginebra.