Juami Tiongson–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Playmaker Juami Tiongson and versatile forward Troy Rosario will chart new career arcs when the PBA Commissioner’s Cup kicks off this Wednesday.
Tiongson moved closer to realizing his championship aspirations after getting shipped to San Miguel Beer in a trade that included Terrafirma teammate Andreas Cahilig.
The Dyip will receive Terrence Romeo, who played for Far Eastern University at about the same time Tiongson won four UAAP titles with Ateneo, and veteran Vic Manuel.
“There’s more work to be done,” the 2021 Most Improved Player told the Inquirer shortly after the development that was made official by the league Monday noon.
“I look forward and I’m excited on my next journey,” the crafty playmaker added, but not without thanking his old club for the seasons that allowed him to break through in the league.
“Need to put aside the excitement and get to work. I want to help in any team possible,” Tiongson added.
As fans continued to process the swap that sent Romeo and Manuel to a league doormat in exchange for promising standouts, they were handed another surprise with Rosario’s inclusion in the Barangay Ginebra lineup that league officials released to the press later that day.
Rosario thus joins a Gin Kings roster that missed out on capturing the title in the last Commissioner’s Cup despite having gone through a facelift by reeling in talents like No. 3 overall pick RJ Abarrientos, and Stephen Holt and Isaac Go in a trade.
A champion at TNT and formerly of Blackwater, Rosario will be improving the size of the crowd darlings who are expected to regain the high-leaping forward Jamie Malonzo in about six weeks. INQ