Jeremiah Gray will be worth the wait, says Tim Cone

Brgy. Ginebra won’t mind waiting for a player with a caliber of Jeremiah Gray.

And that willingness led to the Gin Kings’ decision to let go of two players, Javi Gomez de Liano and Brian Enriquez, in exchange for the high-flying Fil-Am who was drafted 2nd overall by the Terrafirma Dyip in the recently concluded 2022 PBA Rookie Draft.

The 6-foot-5 de Liano was taken by the reigning Governors’ Cup champions with the 8th overall pick in the same draft class while Enriquez was tabbed 13th overall last year.

Gray, however, is still in the US rehabilitating from an ACL injury which he sustained while playing for TNT in the maiden tournament of the PBA 3×3. He could be unavailable until January next year, a fact that Brgy. Ginebra head coach Tim Cone is already aware of prior to agreeing to the two-for-one deal.

“Obviously, Jeremiah is a talent we’re ready to wait for,” said Cone.

“Reports are that he may be out a whole year from now but he’s young and we’re an established team who can wait, especially with Stanley Pringle’s return,” added the 24-time PBA champion mentor.

While Cone is ecstatic with the acquisition of the former Alab Pilipinas player, he was also bummed out that it had to come at the expense of de Liano.

“We really liked Javi and thought he might play an important role as a shooter for us, but Terrafirma really liked him as well and requested him.”