Christian Standhardinger respected Ginebra coach Tim Cone’s decision to trade him to Terrafirma. Dennis Acosta (file photo)

MANILA–Christian Standhardinger considers the trade sending him to Terrafirma a part of the things he has to deal with as a professional basketball player.

In a statement on his socials on Saturday, barely an hour after the PBA announced that he has been shipped to his new team, the six-foot-eight big man said that he respects Ginebra coach Tim Cone’s decision to trade him.

“I acknowledge Coach Tim’s decision to trade me and respect it. It’s part of the game, and I wish him and the team all the best moving forward,” Standhardinger said.

However, Cone confirmed that Standhardinger, a top contender for this year’s MVP award, wants a new direction in his career and wants to play for a different team.

Standhardinger went to the Gin Kings through a 2021 trade that sent Greg Slaughter to the NorthPort Batang Pier.

With Ginebra, Standhardinger won two championships, and the past few seasons saw the bruising center/power forward emerge as an MVP candidate, especially with an improved passing game.

“To my teammates, it has been an honor battling alongside you. We shared some amazing moments, including winning two championships, and I will always cherish those memories. I wish you all continued success and many more titles in the future,” Standhardinger continued.

“Being part of this team has been a truly unforgettable journey… it has been an honor to play… and represent the Ginebra colors.”

Standhardinger was traded to the Dyip along with Stanley Pringle and the 10th pick of Sunday’s PBA Draft for Rookie of the Year frontrunner Stephen Holt, Isaac Go, and the third pick.

Seven years in the making, Standhardinger finally gets to play for the team he was supposed to play for during his rookie season in what could become a full-circle moment for him.

PBA fans already assumed the Terrafirma franchise would lock in Standhardinger as the first pick of the 2017 draft.

However, the team formerly known as Kia suddenly sent the top pick, which as expected turned out to be him, to San Miguel for Jay-R Reyes, Ronald Tubid, Rashawn McCarthy, and what eventually became the 12th pick of the 2019 draft that turned out to be Christian Balagasay in a controversial trade that eventually led to Chito Narvasa stepping down as PBA commissioner.

Despite leaving the San Miguel Corporation umbrella again, Standhardinger expressed gratitude to the SMC president Ramon Ang and sports division chief and Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua.

“To the management of San Miguel [Corporation], especially Boss RSA and Boss Alfrancis Chua, I extend my sincerest thanks. Your trust and commitment have been invaluable, and I appreciate the opportunity to be part of such a prestigious organization. Thank you for putting together a team of high character and integrity,” Standhardinger further said.

He also thanked the Ginebra fans, saying that it was an honor to play for them.