By JONAS TERRADO
Kia management yesterday defended its move to trade the No. 1 overall pick in tomorrow’s PBA Rookie Draft to San Miguel, saying it would rather have veteran players than deal with the rebuilding process under consensus choice Christian Standhardinger.
Team governor Bobby Rosales said the decision to deal its right to pick first to the talent-laden Beermen may have caused a uproar among fans and observers but stressed that it fits with the philosophy Kia has set before the 2017-18 season starts in December.
“Don’t get me wrong, Christian Standhardinger is a great player. The boy has a big potential,” Rosales said in a press conference yesterday at the Azure Hardcourt in Bicutan, Paranaque City where’s Kia holds regular practices.
“It’s just so happened that our philosophy is to play unconventional type of basketball. As much as possible, we would like to play beyond the books,” added Rosales, who along with team manager Joe Lipa were recently appointed by Kia higher-ups with their new positions.
Commissioner Chito Narvasa at press time has yet to make a final decision on the proposed trade, which has received opposition from other teams since news broke out over the weekend.
Jay-R Reyes, Rashawn McCarthy, Yancy de Ocampo, Ronald Tubid and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, all had little playing time for the Beermen last season, were among the names that floated to be sent to Kia should the deal pushes through.
The league’s board of governors eventually agreed to support Narvasa’s decision after a five-hour meeting Thursday at the PBA Office in Libis, the trade being one of the main agendas discussed.
Alaska owner Wilfred Uytengsu, however, criticized Kia’s wisdom to throw away its best chance at improving from last season’s failure to reach the playoffs of all three conferences.