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The San Miguel Corporation has completed a trifecta of blockbuster trades in the heated PBA off-season as Barangay Ginebra is set to land star big man Christian Standhardinger from the NorthPort Batang Pier for Greg Slaughter on Friday, March 5.
This development for the powerhouse group comes after the Magnolia Hotshots recently acquired Calvin Abueva from the Phoenix Fuel Masters, and the San Miguel Beermen reaped CJ Perez from Terrafirma Dyip.
Standhardinger, a former No. 1 overall pick in the controversial 2017 rookie draft and eventual champion with the Beermen, flourished as the Batang Pier’s focal point in the 2020 Philippine Cup with averages of 19.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.
Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Slaughter recently returned to the good graces of SMC brass after taking a year-long break from competition, and was supposedly set for a comeback with the Gin Kings prior to the trade.
In his last title-winning stint with Ginebra in the 2019 Governors’ Cup, the Fil-Am pride of Cebu normed 8.0 points, 5.9 boards, and 0.9 blocks.
The 31-year-old Standhardinger is now expected to further boost Ginebra’s All-Filipino title defense with a lineup that still features Stanley Pringle, LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, and Scottie Thompson.
As for the Batang Pier, they are getting back a serviceable big man, albeit an obvious downgrade, who will anchor the team alongside stalwarts like Robert Bolick, Sean Anthony, Kevin Ferrer, and Kelly Nabong.
In a statement, the NorthPort management said Standhardinger has yet to sign, thus forcing team officials to trade him to the league’s most popular ball club and acquire the former Ateneo standout.
“It was a good trade, beneficial to both teams,” team management said.
Slaughter played his first 6 seasons with the Ginebra Kings but did not play in last season’s bubble which the team won at the expense of TNT Tropang Giga.
NorthPort said it’s excited to have Slaughter as the Batang Pier intend to bounce back following a forgettable showing last conference.
“The team is thrilled to have him in the team, knowing he worked hard in the US to polish his game,” the statement said. – Rappler.com
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