SMB ships Standhardinger to NorthPort

The deal came as a shock as the top overall picks of the 2015 and 2017 Rookie Drafts swapped places just when the Beermen are in the thick of its quest for their second grand slam. #StandhardingerTautuaaSwap

Christian Standhardinger (left) swapped for Moala Tautuaa. (PBA)

San Miguel Beer sent Christian Standhardinger to NorthPort for Moala Tautuaa in a heavyweight trade that was already approved by the Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Willie Marcial.

The deal came as a shock as the top overall picks of the 2015 and 2017 Rookie Drafts swapped places just when the Beermen are in the thick of its quest for their second grand slam.

After being traded by TNT KaTropa along with two future picks to NorthPort in exchange for Terrence Romeo and Yousef Taha, the Filipino-Tongan bruiser found himself with a new team after reviving his career with the Batang Pier.

The 30-year-old forward is averaging 11.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in the ongoing Governors’ Cup, where the Batang Pier are currently at the bottom half with a 2-4 win-loss slate.

The deal also came as a surprise to Standhardinger, who was taken by the Beermen in a trade with KIA in exchange for role players like JR Reyes, Ronald Tubid, Rashawn McCarthy and the 2019 first-round pick.

The trade proved to be very controversial as it reportedly led to the resignation of PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa.

He, however, saw very limited minutes of action as he plays backup to five-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo that prompt trade talks to surface.

His last game with the Beermen was during their 124-129 loss to Barangay Ginebra last Sunday, where he finished with only two points and two rebounds in 16 minutes of action.