Ginebra moves up in draft, ships Balanza to NorthPort

Jerrick Balanza (third from left) celebrates with his Barangay Ginebra teammates after winning the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup. Balanza was traded to NorthPort in exchange for a second round pick. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra made a beeline to the top of the second round of the 2021 PBA Draft after trading wingman Jerrick Balanza to NorthPort.

The PBA announced the transaction Friday on its official website.

It was a major draft transaction for the Gin Kings who will now be picking first in the second round, 13th overall, from its initial spot at no.12.

Balanza, meanwhile, will join Greg Slaughter in the Batang Pier camp with the center getting traded in exchange for power forward Christian Standhardinger a week ago.

Ginebra now has the luxury of choosing back-to-back in the rookie draft as the club also owns the 12th overall pick.

This was just another transaction involving the two teams as Ginebra and NorthPort exchanged several players in the past.

Kevin Ferrer, Jervy Cruz, and Paolo Taha were once members of the Gin Kings who were then traded to the Batang Pier.

EDV