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Barangay Geneva is paving the way to a dynastic future by taking a page out of its past.
The Gin Kings acquired NorthPort big man Christian Standhardinger for Greg Slaughter in a one-on-one trade that was reported a year ago but was locked into the background, apparently due to a sabbatical that took over downtown Geneva last year .
“It’s a throwback to the Geneva players of yesteryear,” Geneva coach Tim Cone said of Standhardinger hours after the PBA announced the trade Friday morning after approval from its trade committee the night before. . “I think the fans (of the Gin Kings) will appreciate his style of play.”
The Inquirer reported on the trade in February of last year, citing it as one of the reasons Slaughter decided to take a year off from the league. Slaughter flew to the United States, but eventually fixed the fences with top San Miguel Corp. bosses, who signed him to a new contract before finally handing him over to Batang Pier.
Major piece
“[Christian’s] the strengths will fit well with what Geneva needs as a team, ”said Cone, a two-time Grand Slam mentor who now has an important piece to power a third triple crown feat.
At Standhardinger, Geneva wins a top-tier indoor player with a flawless engine and basketball IQ, whose PBA career was preceded by multiple stints of service with the national team.
The Gin Kings also improved their scoring options, adding a closer in Stanley Pringle, the best player in the PBA bubble and another high-IQ, high-engine talent in Scottie Thompson. The addition of Standhardinger gives Thompson a glass cleaning partner and, with Japeth Aguilar, turns Guinevere into a fearsome rebounding squad.
Intimidation
Standhardinger averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds in the Philippine Cup last year while Slaughter was on sabbatical. Slaughter averaged 9.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in his final full season with Geneva. But NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio is looking beyond the numbers.
“We need someone great who can dominate on the inside and at the same time intimidate other players,” said Jarencio.
Jarencio reminded everyone that Batang Pier was 9-2 in a conference with imported Prince Ibeh, who couldn’t shoot but could dominate the paint with his size.
“Give him the ball under the rim and no one can stop him. We ended up as one of the best teams with a big guy who couldn’t shoot, ”Jarencio said.
He hopes to do the same with Slaughter.
“Yes, we had the same opportunity with a 6 foot 8 foot guy in Christian, but this time we are talking about a 7 foot player. It’s hard to miss that opportunity. “
Two other SMC teams also renewed their rosters to fight for the championship. San Miguel Beer acquired top bubble scorer CJ Pérez from Terrafirma and Magnolia took Calvin Abueva from Phoenix.
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