STILL no deal.
This is how multiple sources placed the status of ongoing negotiations initiated by the TNT Tropang Giga in acquiring the signing rights of free agent Christian Stanhardinger from the Terrafirma Dyip.
Standhardinger, who told Terrafirma management that he was retiring instead of playing out the remainder of his contract that runs until the end of 2025, caused a stir when his photo appeared in a popular Facebook page of a car reseller.
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His arrival from a brief hiatus in Germany has sparked talks that the Fil-German may be available for a PBA comeback, which at this point may still be his best option at age 35 than other pro leagues in Asia or Europe, where he used to play.
But where?
Among the many options, TNT, sources said, is the most persistent.
Since losing in the Troy Rosario sweepstakes to Ginebra, the Tropang Giga have been struggling to plug a hole in the middle that became more pronounced when the team opted to re-sign the prolific but undersized Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in a Commissioner’s Cup that has no height restrictions for imports.
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Management of the recently minted Governors' Cup champions is aware that the team will struggle in the crucial juncture of the ongoing conference if it fails to plug the hole in the center position - and more so in the all-Filipino Philippine Cup.
“Alam ng TNT na mahihirapan sila sa playoffs if wala sila reliable big man. Poy (Erram) can't do it alone. Tapos after this conference, all-Filipino [conference] na. Kaya kailangan talaga nila ma-secure yung C-Stan habang technically bakante pa,” said the source from inside the MVP group camp.
“Ang lalaki ng mga title contenders: Ginebra, San Miguel tapos 'yung Converge, may Rain or Shine ka pa na malaki din import,” he added.
Sources said TNT has made 'three or four bids' to get a deal done for Standhardinger. None has pushed through.
Briefed on how TNT management is trying to close the Standhardinger deal, the source bared that the Tropang Giga initially tried to offer the signing rights of wantaway Mikey Williams plus a future draft pick to the Dyip.
However, Williams’ erratic behavior turned off Dyip management that negotiations didn’t even reach first base, a source bared.
TNT options thin
Another source bared TNT bosses have tinkered with the idea of including a starter in the trade deal just to get the negotiations ball rolling. Still, sources say, Terrafirma is not yet biting.
TNT's lack of a high pick in the coming drafts make the negotiations a lot trickier, the source said.
“Nag second look pero parang di pa solve yung kabila. Baka may hingin pa, kaso 'yung [TNT] coaching staff wants to keep the team intact sana at all cost,” said the source.
“Kaso ano i-offer ng TNT eh wala silang future first pick. Sino pa ang trade assets ng team na pwedeng kailangan ng Terrafirma?” he said.
Still, insiders believe TNT is the most logical destination of Standhardinger since it is capable of and willing to shoulder the player's enormous contract which the Dyip inherited from Ginebra after the trade.
An offer from Terrafirma for a contract renewal didn't interest Standhardinger, another source said.
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