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A Wheeler's Opinion: San Miguel's "Tama" Has Gotten Stronger with Standhardinger Trade

Update: SMB vs KIA trade vetoed by the Commissioner and now being revised


Christian Standhardinger San Miguel Beermen
Imagine this guy playing alongside June Mar Fajardo


A few weeks ago, this basketball pundit on wheels said in one article that Filipino-German prospect, Christian Standhardinger, the Gilas Pilipinas standout who is predicted by many as the top pick in next Sunday's PBA Draft, will be traded. Away. 

And it happened. Yesterday, a blockbuster trade blew PBA fans around the archipelago. Kia Picanto, like it did a few years, is trading their potential top pick to the San Miguel Beermen in exchange for 3 players, plus future draft picks, plus money considerations.

3 players? All third-stingers for the Beermen:

  • JayR Reyes
  • Rashawn McCarthy
  • Keith Agovida

Don't worry, PBA fans. This basketball pundit on wheels is asking the same question everybody has been asking since the news first broke out: What is wrong with Kia? They had the chance to draft Troy Rosario but threw away that chance and gave it to the Talk N Text KaTropa. Now, they are about to repeat that huge mistake. If you're going to trade a potential big star, you will ask for players who can produce notable big numbers and not just a trio of bench warmers who only averaged a combined 8 points per game during the Governors' Cup. 

Now, assuming that PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa will not do a David Stern who vetoed a trade that would have Chris Paul team-up with Kobe Bryant right before the lockout-shortened 2011-2012 NBA season, then the San Miguel Beermen have gained more than what they have to lose. Why?


Here's why: 
  • Chris Ross
  • Alex Cabagnot
  • Arwind Santos
  • June Mar Fajardo

If you watched last Friday's PBA Leo Annual Awards Night, then you know what team did the four players above belong. They made up 4 of the 5 members of this season's Mythical First Team with Japeth Aguilar of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings being the 5th member.





If anything, having 4 of Leo Austria's starters on the Mythical First Team serves as a testament to one thing: take away the imports and nobody in the PBA can match the firepower of an-Filipino San Miguel starting unit. Now, put another big man in Christian Standhardinger's caliber and SMB will now have the potential star power to match the Twin Towers of the Gin Kings. 

Having a Standhardinger alongside the Kraken, now a 4-time PBA MVP, will mean that San Miguel will have a SUPER Starting 5. If Commissioner Chito Narvasa approves this deal come tomorrow, below is the potential starting unit for the Beermen come the season opener, PBA Philippine Cup:

  • Fajardo
  • Standhardinger
  • Santos
  • Ross
  • Cabagnot

No wonder why other PBA team executives are not so happy with this. No wonder why they will raise this concern on Thursday during the meeting of the PBA Board of Governors. And this basketball pundit will not be surprised either if Chito Narvasa will do a David Stern. Well, if there will be a miracle and should the good PBA commissioner approves this deal, the rest of the PBA will be having a more difficult time dealing with this upcoming SMB hangover. 


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