Ginebra Snags 6-Foot-8 Big Man Kemark Cariño From Terrafirma in Straight-Up PBA Trade — But He's Coming Off an ACL Injury

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel just added some serious size to their frontcourt — acquiring 6-foot-8 big man Kemark Cariño from the Terrafirma Dyip in a one-on-one trade announced by the PBA on Friday. In exchange, Terrafirma gets veteran Ben Adamos.

Cariño is a promising young talent who was picked by Terrafirma in the 2023 PBA Draft and immediately made an impact. In his first full season in 2024, he earned spots on both the PBA All-Defensive Team and the All-Rookie Team — a rare double honor that showed his potential on both ends of the floor.

The catch? Cariño is currently recovering from an ACL injury he sustained last year. ACL tears are among the most serious basketball injuries, typically requiring 9-12 months of rehabilitation. Ginebra is essentially betting on Cariño's upside once he's fully healthy — a gamble that could pay off big for a team that needs interior defense.

Before his injury, Cariño also had a brief stint in Japan, playing for Aomori Wat's in the B.League — showing that his talent was recognized even at the international level. His combination of height, defensive ability, and youth makes him exactly the type of player Ginebra needs for a championship push.

Adamos, heading the other way, brings veteran experience to Terrafirma. Originally drafted in 2021 by the Alaska Aces, he's bounced around the league with stints at Converge, Phoenix, and NorthPort before landing at Ginebra. For the Gin Kings, though, this trade is all about Cariño's ceiling — pag bumalik sa 100%, panalo si Ginebra dito.

Source: GMA News