After two days of staying silent, the management of the TNT Katropa released a statement, answering the allegations made by PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa last Friday prior to Game 7 of the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
During an impromptu press conference held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, the honorable commissioner narrated the timeline of how Christian Standhardinger had submitted his requirements to the league office. However, the PBA received two copies of the document, one through e-mail from Standhardinger’s agent and another via a hard copy that was sent over by TNT assistant team manager Magnum Membrere.
With that, the commissioner thought that a deal between TNT and Kia had been struck, with the latter’s 2017 PBA Draft first round pick involved.
But TNT cried foul over the insinuation made by Narvasa, saying that Membrere had only done this out of good will, as the former Ateneo Blue Eagle is also an official for Gilas Pilipinas.
“TNT management resents the statement of Commissioner Narvasa,” the statement handed over by team manager Virgil Villavicencio read, “It is uncalled for and it just proves that he is biased.
“Magnum Membrere was there as a representative of SMART Gilas and it was a sincere gesture to assist Standhardinger with a basic administrative filing process because he flew back to Germany after the SEA Games.”
What irked TNT’s management was that this information was unnecessary, expressing that Membrere was used as a piece to prove that other teams had offered to trade for KIA’s pick, which was used on Standhardinger.
“We resented his statement as it is uncalled for,” the statement furthered, “Why did he have to use us to justify his decision? In addition, any team has the right to see what trades would make sense for them regardless of players thrown into the equation.”
To close, the team expressed that it is condemning the approval of the trade.
“His decision robs the PBA of the dynamism, excitement, and suspense that a player of Standhardinger’s caliber would bring going up against June Mar Fajardo.
“If the commissioner does not see this simple perspective, he may not be the right person for the job. We are afraid as to who should be the custodian of the PBA’s overall paramount interest,” the statement said.
“He talks about parity for trades, but where is it?! The people have spoken! Commissioner Chito, listen to the feedback!”
