MANILA – The trading of places of former top-overall selections Christian Standhardinger and Gregory Slaughter, which has been anticipated by the fans for years, has turned into reality.
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Office has stamped its seal of approval on Friday on the one-on-one swap that sent Standhardinger to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings and Slaughter to the NorthPort Batang Pier.
In a statement hours after the PBA announcement, the Batang Pier said it initiated the swap with the Kings with the 6-foot-8 Filipino-German Standhardinger refusing to sign a contract renewal.
“Standhardinger has yet to sign, thus forcing us to trade him. It was a good trade, beneficial for both team,” wrote Batang Pier. “We are thrilled to have (Slaughter) in the team, knowing he worked hard in the United States to polish his game.”
NorthPort head coach Alfredo Jarencio is as ecstatic as the Batang Pier management as he sees the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles center to help the squad from a forgetful campaign in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup.
“Malaking bagay sa amin ‘yun (pag-acquire kay Slaughter). Kailangan namin ng big man talaga,” Jarencio said. “Ang kinokonsider namin talagang kailangan namin ng who can dominate inside which is si Greg ‘yon.”
Kings head coach Tim Cone, for his part, welcomed the arrival of Standhardinger, who will make the crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra stronger ahead of their title defense in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup next month.
“C-Stand’s strengths will fit well with what Ginebra needs as a team,” Cone said. “We welcome C-Stand to the Ginebra family. I think the Gin fans will appreciate his style of play. He’s a throwback to the Ginebra players of old.”
Standhardinger, who averaged 19.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals last season with Batang Pier, expressed his gratitude to NorthPort “for the great memories that we had together.”
“I want to thank NorthPort Batang Pier for everything – for taking a chance on me,” Standhardinger said. “It was an honor to fight alongside my teammates or friends who are not only amazing players but also great people.”
Slaughter, who averages 9.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.9 blocks in his final year with the Kings in the 2019 PBA season, vowed to revive his basketball career with the Batang Pier.
“I am saddened to know that my journey with (Ginebra) has officially come to an end, from the first pick in the draft to all-star and multiple championships, I will always look back fondly at the time I spent there,” Slaughter said.
“I still have my best basketball ahead of me. I have so much left to give the game and just as blessed as ever to play the game I love in front of all the fans who have been with me through it all, no matter what jersey I wear,” he added./PN
