PBA: Ginebra ‘looking for help,’ opens itself to trade talks

FILE–Ginebra coach Tim Cone in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra coach Tim Cone has made it clear that the Gin Kings need help after a series of unfortunate events.

After Ginebra’s 87-83 escape of TNT in the PBA Philippine Cup at Philsports Arena on Friday, Cone said that his squad is looking for a boost in different ways–whether it be from signing free agents, calling up someone from the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) or simply proposing trades around the league.

“We’ll look around the league for help and see if there’s somebody out there who could help us out. Whether it be from picking up players from, who knows, maybe MPBL or trades,” said the veteran tactician.

READ: PBA: Ginebra scrapes past TNT for third straight win

“We’re looking for help outside the lineup to fill that void. Right now, we have Sidney (Onwubere) as our four-man and after Sidney, we go to the guards. We really don’t have anybody in between except for maybe Ralph (Cu), but he’s not a defensive three, he’s more of a stretch-four.”

The Gin Kings’ lineup got even thinner a few days ago.

At the end of Ginebra’s victory over Northport on Sunday, 95-88, Jamie Malonzo suffered calf tear which left Ginebra even more undermanned in the forward position.

The wing portion of the Gin Kings’ lineup are Jeremiah Gray, Aljon Mariano and Jared Dillinger—players who are also dealing with injuries of their own.

READ: PBA: Ginebra starting to click but facing injury woes

“If you think about it, a year or so ago, the wing was our strongest, deepest position. We had Miah, who played so well in the On Tour and we planned on leaning heavily on him. Aljon has been out for a while. We had Jamie. Then we also have Dillinger.”

“We felt like that position was particularly strong. Now, we basically lost all of them and that position became the thinnest in our team.”

There are still no clear updates on Gray, who tore his ACL during the preseason last year, as well as for Mariano. Both swingmen, though, are always present in Ginebra games in the PBA All-Filipino conference.

But while the possibility of acquiring a new player was set out on the table, Cone said that he hasn’t been actively talking to teams around the league yet.

Although, a certain name came up in the discussion: Magnolia forward David Murrell.

“Is there a trade pending? Not at all. Have we talked to other teams? Not yet. But that’s what this week will be all about… I think we already put a claim on Dave Murrell and we’re going to see if anybody else would pick him up but we’re looking at guys from the MPBL as well.”