SMB trades Standhardinger for Tautuaa

MANILA, Philippines — Grand slam aspirant San Miguel Beer and NorthPort have tweaked their respective frontlines by agreeing to a trade involving Beerman Christian Standhardinger and Batang Pier Mo Tautuaa.

The one-on-one trade featuring the top rookie draft picks of 2015 and 2017 was approved by the PBA yesterday, per the league’s website.

The Beermen released Standhardinger, their primary backup to ace June Mar Fajardo, in exchange for Fil-Tongan big man as they try to bolster their quest for the last jewel in their targeted triple crown feat.

Tautuaa averages 11.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in the season-ending meet for NorthPort and is expected to complement five-time MVP Fajardo in the shaded lane beginning Sunday when SMB plays its next game against Columbian Dyip.

This will be the third team in the PBA for Tautuaa.

The 6-foot-8 slotman entered the PBA after a stint with Westsports Malaysia Dragons in the Asean Basketball League in 2015, with Talk n Text picking him first overall.

NorthPort management is happy with the deal landing Standhardinger, a legitimate center who can form the team’s 1-2 punch with Robert Bolick.

Fil-German Standhardinger, who won two titles with the Beermen this year, is recovering from injury this conference and is good for averages of 3.5 points, and four rebounds in three games. The 6-foot-8 bruiser is likely to don the Batang Pier jersey for the first time on Oct. 23, interestingly against his old team SMB.