Tim Cone on new Gin King Christian Standhardinger: ‘Ginebra fans will appreciate his style of play’

Tim Cone believes that new recruit Christian Standhardinger is tailor-made for Brgy. Ginebra.

The 31-year old Fil-German, who arrived last week from the NorthPort Batang Pier via one-on-one deal for Greg Slaughter, is a two-time PBA champion (both with the San Miguel Beermen) and a 1-time Best Player of the Conference awardee (2019 Governors’ Cup) which he bagged during his very first conference with the Mikee Romero-owned franchise.

“C-Stand’s strengths will fit well with what Ginebra needs as a team, and we welcome C-Stand to the Ginebra family,” said Cone.

“I think the Gin fans will appreciate his style of play. He’s a throwback to the Ginebra players of old,” added the league’s winningest mentor who claims that the recent swap of the two big men is comparable to the blockbuster trade in the 80’s featuring Mon Fernandez and Abet Guidaben.

“The trade reminds me of the old days when Mon Fernandez and Abet Guidaben would be traded for each other. Both premiere big men with differing skills,” said Cone.

Fernandez and Guidaben, two PBA Hall of Fame centers, actually switched teams twice during their legendary careers.

The first instance happened in the middle of 1985 while Fernandez was playing for Manila Beer and Guidaben for Tanduay. The second, which occurred just two years after, sent Fernandez from Purefoods to San Miguel and vice-versa for Guidaben.

Fernandez went on to finish his story-book career with 19 titles on top of 4 MVP plums. He is the all-time league-leader in points, rebounds and shot blocks.

Guidaben, on the other hand, won 16 titles and bagged 2 MVP awards in the process. He ranks 1st in most minutes played and 2nd in points and rebounds.

While Standhardinger and Slaughter are nowhere near the achievements of the two league greats, their swap is definitely one of the biggest in recent times.