ALREADY a formidable team with a slew of talented players, San Miguel Beer brings more pain—and happy pills for fans—on the court when the Beermen open their campaign in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup against Meralco today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Anticipations are high for the debut of top pick Christian Standhardinger, who had endured a tough offseason gig with a string of controversial transactions that sent the former league commissioner packing, and a championship run with the Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League (ABL).
Standing at 6-foot-8, the Beermen enjoy unlimited ceiling with four-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.
With height and talent available, the Beermen seem to barely need the services of 6-foot-9 American import Troy Gillenwater.
The trio makes a mountain to scale for the Bolts (2-1 won-lost) in the game set at 7 p.m.
Coleader Rain or Shine (3-0), meanwhile, takes on Columbian Dyip (2-2) at 4:30 p.m.
San Miguel Beer Head Coach Leo Austria is confident that the arrival of Standhardinger will be a formidable addition to their title-retention bid.
“He will deliver. Christian will be a good help in our team,” Austria said.
Originally destined for Kia Picanto as the first overall round pick, Standhardinger was shipped to the Beermen via a controversial trade, which was approved by then Commissioner Chito Narvasa.
The Filipino-German missed the entire Philippine Cup because of his prior commitment with the Hong Kong Eastern team, which he steered to the ABL semifinals.
Standhardinger, Fajardo and Gillenwater will be supported by shooter Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross and Arwind Santos.
They will be up against a depleted Bolts lineup, with Ranidel de Ocampo (achilles) and Garvo Lanete (sprained hand) nursing injuries.
The team also has former Best Import Arinze Onuaku, who has averaged 22 points and 18.67 rebounds for the Bolts.