Post-Finals Post-Mortem: 3 Trade Targets for TNT to Dethrone San Miguel
The 2025-2026 PBA Philippine Cup Finals concluded just days ago on February 1, 2026, with a familiar sight: the San Miguel Beermen hoisting the trophy after a 92-77 Game 6 victory. Despite a valiant effort led by Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading, the TNT Tropang Giga once again found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer size and depth of the Beermen.
If TNT wants to break the SMB stranglehold in the upcoming conferences, standing pat is not an option. Here are three trade targets TNT should aggressively pursue to close the gap.
#3. Greg Slaughter (Titan Ultra)
The 7-foot center, "Greg-Zilla," is currently working on his PBA comeback with the Titan Ultra franchise. While he has been away for a few years, his size remains a unique commodity in the league.
The Tactical Advantage: Adding Slaughter would finally provide TNT with a legitimate "Twin Tower" partner for Poy Erram. This would stabilize their frontcourt defense against June Mar Fajardo.
The Import Flexibility: With a local 7-footer anchoring the paint, TNT would have the luxury of hiring a versatile wing or scoring forward as their import for the Commissioner’s and Governors' Cups. Instead of being forced to find a massive center to match up with other giants, they could opt for a dynamic playmaker to turbocharge their offense.
#2. Christian Standhardinger (Terrafirma Dyip)
This is the "dream" scenario. Standhardinger is currently with Terrafirma after the blockbuster Ginebra trade, but rumors of his potential retirement have swirled recently. However, if TNT can convince "The Bulldozer" to give it one more run in a championship-caliber system, they must pull the trigger.
Why Him? Standhardinger is one of the few players in PBA history who can match the physicality and intensity of San Miguel’s frontline. His high-motor playstyle and elite rebounding are exactly what TNT lacked in the closing minutes of Game 6. Even if it seems unlikely, TNT's management should at least make the phone call.
#1. Jason Perkins (Phoenix Fuel Masters)
If the Phoenix Fuel Masters are looking to rebuild after a tough season, Jason Perkins should be the #1 name on TNT’s wish list.
The "SMB Killer" Dimension: What makes Perkins so dangerous is his versatility. He is a "bruising" forward who can bang in the post but also stretch the floor with a reliable outside shot.
The Strategic Fit: Against a drop-coverage defense like San Miguel’s, a "pick-and-pop" big man like Perkins creates a nightmare for Fajardo. He would force the SMB centers out of the paint, opening up the lanes for Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac. Perkins brings a level of basketball IQ and multi-positional defense that would give Chot Reyes a new chess piece to counter the Beermen's dominance.
Related Article: PBA Trade Rumors: Converge targets a Magnolia star?
Comments
Post a Comment