Just like the old days.

Tim Cone compared the deal that saw Christian Standhardinger and Greg Slaughter switch teams to the monumental PBA trades of the 1980s that involved legends Ramon Fernandez and Abet Guidaben.

As approved by the PBA, Barangay Ginebra acquired Standhardinger from NorthPort in a one-on-one deal for Slaughter.

“The trade reminds me of the old days when Mon Fernandez and Abet Guidaben would be traded for each other,” Cone told Rappler.

Fernandez and Guidaben – who are No. 1 and 2, respectively, in both the PBA all-time scoring and rebounding lists – got traded for each other at the height of their careers in the 1980s.

Manila Beer shipped Fernandez, who won MVP the year before, to Tanduay in exchange for Guidaben in 1985.

The two PBA icons swapped teams again 3 years later, with San Miguel sending reigning MVP Guidaben to Purefoods for Fernandez.

“Both premier big men with differing skills,” Cone said.

In the case of Slaughter and Standhardinger, both are proven big men who won individual and team accolades.

Slaughter captured 4 championships and a Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award during his six-season stint with Ginebra.

Meanwhile, Standhardinger netted two titles with San Miguel and copped a BPC plum during his short run with NorthPort.

Cone said Slaughter will put up bigger numbers at NorthPort, while Standhardinger will fit well at Ginebra.

“We certainly wish Greg all the best, and thank him for the championships he brought to Ginebra, and we welcome C-Stand to the Ginebra family.”

“I think the Gin fans will appreciate his style of play. He is a throwback to the Ginebra players of old,” Cone said. – Rappler.com