Gavina prefers vets in trade deal

MANILA, Philippines — Should they lose Christian Standhardinger in a reported trade deal, Kia coach Chris Gavina hopes to get veteran players with championship experience and leadership quality.

Gavina said he would have loved to have Standhardinger in their team to accept whatever decision the team management would make.

 Pending for the league approval is the proposed Kia-San Miguel Beer trade deal involving the Picanto’s first pick in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft set Sunday at the Robinsons Place Ermita.

Leading the draft roster is the 6-foot-8 Fil-German center/forward Standhardinger although he has to honor his commitment with his ABL team first before he becomes available to join his would-be PBA team next year.

“Nothing’s cast in stone. I don’t know what the board’s going to do, whether they’re going to accept it or not, so whether we keep it is a tossup right now. I’d love to keep it, but you know, there’s some powers that be that might not agree,” said Gavina on the sidelines of the PBA Draft Cominex in Gatorade Hoops Dome in Mandaluyong.

“So whatever the case happens, whether we get Christian or not, I think as long as we get some veteran leadership on the team with championship experience, I think we’ll be able to form a formidable team next year,” Gavina also said.

Apparently, PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa is planning to make the decision before the PBA board meeting tomorrow at the PBA office.

Meanwhile, as expected, Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng, Raymar Jose and Jason Perkins stood out in the two-day rookie camp that came to a close yesterday afternoon.