Terrafirma governor defends CJ Perez trade: “We wanted two picks in the first round”

The prospect of having two first round picks in the largest-ever draft pool in PBA history was an opportunity too good to pass up, according to Terrafirma board governor Bobby Rosales.

And when it came in the form of an 8th overall pick courtesy of San Miguel, the Dyip had to grab it, even if it meant giving up their superstar, their main main, their franchise player.

Such was the scenario Friday afternoon when the struggling franchise agreed to deal Perez to the Beermen in exchange for the league’s winningest franchise’s first round pick in the upcoming March 14 rookie draft along with reserves Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Russell Escoto and Gelo Alolino.

Trade papers have already been forwarded to the league office for approval.

Rosales disclosed that trading Perez was a very difficult decision but it’s a sacrifice they’re willing to make in order to give their team a better fighting chance in the coming season which is tentatively scheduled to kick off on April 9.

“He’s really a good player. Ang hirap bitawan ni CJ. Pero we’ve all been saying na hindi kumpleto yung piyesa ng team,” said Rosales.

“So we thought also that having two picks in the first round at No. 1 and No. 8 would give us a better chance of getting the better talent in this coming draft. And hopefully would be able to hit the pieces also,” he added.

Since the Dyip have no picks in the second round due to an earlier trade, Rosales felt that the team had to make a move to remedy the situation.

“Unfortunately, matagal pa bago kami ulit maka-pick. Kapag naka-pick kami sa No. 1, ang tagal pa, maghihintay pa kami sa third round,” said Rosales.

“Very obvious naman kung ano yung mga kulang namin. We have the shooters, we have the backcourt. Alam naman natin na kung saan kami binubugbog. So that really is the basis of the decision. We wanted two picks in the first round.”