The TNT KaTropa management blasted PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa for approving the controversial Kia-San Miguel trade which allowed the powerhouse Beermen to select Filipino-German center Christian Standhardinger with the No.1 pick in the recently concluded PBA Rookie Draft.
Through a statement sent out by team manager Virgil Villavicencio to the media, TNT slammed Narvasa for being “biased” and also questioned his competence as commissioner.
The squad also took offense when he hinted that TNT made an attempt to secure a deal with the top pick when he mentioned that TNT assistant team manager Magnum Membrere assisted Standhardinger in the submission of his draft application papers.
Below is TNT’s statement:
“Comm. Chito talked to CS in Lebanon to join the draft and alam niya manipis at walang dating. He cleared that it would be OK for CS to miss the draft camp and have a proxy to submit his application, since he will be out of the country. So of course ibang tao ang nagsubmit. No logical reason to divulge the info other than a futile and pathetic attempt to take the spotlight off him.
TNT RESENTS THE STATEMENT OF COMM. NARVASA. UNCALLED FOR. JUST PROVES HE IS BIASED. MAGNUM MEMBRERE WAS THERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF SMART GILAS. IT WAS A SINCERE GESTURE TO ASSIST STANDHARDINGER WITH A BASIC ADMIN FILING PROCESS BECAUSE HE FLEW BACK TO GERMANY AFTER THE SEA GAMES.
We resented his statement as it is uncalled for. Why did he have to use us to justify his decision. In addition, any team has the right to see what trades would make sense for them regardless of players thrown into the equation. His decision robs the PBA of dynamism, excitement and suspense that a player of CS’ caliber would bring going up against Fajardo.
If the commissioner doesn’t see this simple perspective, he may not be the right person for the job. We are afraid as to who should be the custodian of the PBA’s overall paramount interest. He talks about parity/equilibrium for trades, but where is it?! People have spoken, Comm. Chito, listen to the feedback!”
