Controversy hounded the transaction between Ginebra San Miguel and Terrafirma on Saturday morning.
The trade saw Ginebra send Christian Standhardinger, Stanley Pringle, and the 10th overall pick in tomorrow’s draft to Terrafirma in exchange for Isaac Go, Stephen Holt, and the 3rd overall pick in this season’s draft.
Fans and league personalities alike questioned the fairness and speed of the trade’s approval.
Some of the questions raised were about how fast the trade was approved and, of course, how fair it was for the Dyip side.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial assured the public that the trade went through the trade committee, which deliberated, studied, and eventually approved the deal.
He also added that the trade would bring balance to the league.
“Maganda sa liga kasi tinignan ng trade committee ‘yan, maayos, lahat ng trade dumadaan sa trade committee,” he told Ian Suyu of Frontline Pilipinas.
In the eyes of pundits and fans, the trade brought youth to an aging Ginebra roster.
(c) FIBA.basketball
Standhardinger, though still at the peak of his athletic career, just turned 35. Meanwhile, Pringle is already 37.
The duo still delivered the goods last conference, with the 6-foot-8 Filipino-German bruiser averaging 21.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest.
On the other hand, the 6-foot-1 Filipino-American guard averaged 9.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
In exchange, Ginebra got 28-year-old Go and 32-year-old Holt — the former averaged 11.7 points and 7.1 rebounds last conference, while the latter put up numbers of 21.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists.
All four players are former top overall picks in their respective draft classes.
Also questioned was why the Dyip needed to swap picks with the Gin Kings.
All is done now, however.
For Marcial, it’s time for both teams to prove that they made the right decision.
“Sana makatulong sa kanila. Hindi natin alam, depende sa chemistry ng team, depende sa galaw ng coaches,” he said.
“Kahit malalakas ‘yung players mo, kung walang chemistry o out of tune, hindi mo rin mapapagana ‘yan.”
