GINEBRA GETS C-STAN’ FOR BIG 7-FOOT GREG
BARANGAY Ginebra San Miguel finally acquired Filipino-german Christian Karl Standhardinger from Northport in exchange for 7-footer Greg Slaughter on Friday in a blockbuster one-on-one trade that created a buzz in social media the past few days.
The Gin Kings’ grand slam Head Coach Tim Cone confirmed to Businessmirror about the trade done by the San Miguel Corp. franchise, saying the deal benefited both parties.
“They’re both premier big men with different skills. I believe Greg will put up much bigger numbers than he had at Ginebra and elevate Northport,” said Cone, noting the trade reminded him of the Ramon Fernandezabet Guidaben 1988 traded between San Miguel Beer and Añejo Rum in 1988.
“The trade reminds me of the old days when Mon Fernandez and Abet Guidaben would be traded for each other,” Cone said.
The 6-foot-8 Standhardinger was fifth in scoring in the bubble season, averaging 19.9 points, 12 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Batang Pier in 10 games. But Northport only won one of its 11 games and exited early.
“C-stand’s strengths and hardworking plays will fit well with what Ginebra needs as a team,” Cone said.
“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’s a throwback to the Ginebra players of old,” he added.
Standhardinger will be joining a starstudded Ginebra team composed of Stanley Pringle, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, LA Tenorio and Jared Dillinger.
For Northport Coach Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio, acquiring Slaughter absolutely provides the Batang Pier a legitimate post threat and a taller player than Standhardinger.
“Acquiring Greg through a trade, we already have an inside presence that we are looking for a long, long time. It’s a rare chance to get a player like Greg,” said Jarencio.
Slaughter, who bagged the Best Player of the Conference award in the 2017 Governors’ Cup, averaged 14.7 points and 8.8 rebounds in that conference.
He averaged 11 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 blocks in the last Governors’ Cup in Season 44 before skipping the last season.