By ADRIAN STEWART CO

NorthPort Batang Pier continues to bolster its roster as they engage Terrafirma Dyip in a four-player trade that is pending the approval of the PBA Commissioner’s Office.

Based on the trade deal that was first reported by Tiebreaker Times, the Batang Pier is set to acquire Filipino-American winger Joshua Munzon and rookie Javi Gomez de Liaño from the Dyip.

On the other hand, Terrafirma will have veteran gunner Kevin Ferrer and seldomly-used forward Mer Jesper Ayaay.

Munzon, the top-overall pick in the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft, failed to find his ground with the Dyip as he averaged just 8.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Gomez de Liaño, the eighth pick in the 2022 PBA Draft by Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings before being swapped to the Dyip, scored 6.52 points, 3.04 rebounds and 1.26 assists in 23 games played.

Munzon and Gomez de Liaño are expected to get their much-needed break at the Batang Pier, which is reportedly dead serious about becoming a contender now in the PBA.

Both were the second and third new acquisitions of the Batang Pier this offseason after getting Ilonggo Paul Zamar from San Miguel Beermen for Allyn Bulanadi.

Meanwhile, Terrafirma got two veteran players with championship experience during their brief stints with Barangay Ginebra in Ferrer and Ayaay.

Ferrer, who had two PBA titles with Gin Kings before being traded to Batang Pier in 2019, has averages of 9.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 25 games played this 2022-2023 PBA Season.

Ayaay, who was part of Ginebra’s champion team in the 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup, played 19 games this season with the Batang Pier but did not have much offensive contribution./ASC, WDJ