By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Blackwater Bossing franchise just made their first off-season move before the next Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) conference kicks off.
Rey Suerte, a former PBA rookie draftee included in the special batch from a Gilas Pilipinas selection pool last 2019, was reportedly acquired by the Converge FiberXers in exchange for shooter BJ Andrade announced on February 17, 2025.
According to multiple sources closely monitoring the proposed deal, both franchises already agreed to the deal and submitted the necessary trade documents to the PBA office.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial then only took a day to review the proposal and officially signed the trade deal today, February 18, 2025.
A versatile scorer who can also defend the wings, Suerte spent his last five years with the Blackwater franchise and marked his PBA start with a promising string of performances.
However, Suerte failed to lead the Bossing to a consistent post-season ride and was even a part of the franchise that didn’t qualify for the playoffs for three straight years.
Suerte only played 10 games for Blackwater in the past PBA conference and averaged 4.8 points and 1.9 rebounds.
Now, Suerte will be reuniting with his former Gilas Pilipinas teammate Justine Baltazar at Converge and is expected to make an immediate impact when the FiberXers return to the hardwood after the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Suerte will be forming a deadly backcourt with experienced shooter Jordan Heading and Converge’s steady floor general Alec Stockton.
On the other hand, Andrade’s role with the struggling Bossing is yet to be determined but the franchise will need his lethal three-point shooting to help them create more space on the floor.
Andrade will backstop Blackwater’s top-scoring guard, Sedrick Barefield, and will also seek to gain tips to improve his game from seasoned ball-handler JVee Casio and former PBA champion Kib Montalbo.
