SMB-Kia trade deal on hold

The impending trade that would send the No. 1 overall Draft pick, who could be Christian Standhardinger, to San Miguel Beer has yet to gain approval from the Philippine Basketball Association.

A league source on Monday said PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa would sit down with Kia Picanto board member Bobby Rosales and clarify the reason why they are trading away the top pick.

Rosales is out of the country on a business trip.

The Draft is scheduled this Sunday at Robinsons Place Manila with the 6-foot-8 Filipino-German likely to be made the top pick and Kiefer Ravena, the former UAAP Most Valuable Player with Ateneo, second overall.

Standhardinger will reportedly play for the Hong Kong Eastern Lions in the Asean Basketball League.

NLEX, who holds the second pick, has made it no secret that they would go for Ravena in the event that Standhardinger is picked first.

Blackwater, which owned the top pick in the last two seasons, will be selecting third.

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