Fajardo-Standhardinger pair out to wreak havoc in PBA

MANILA, Philippines – Perhaps, never has there ever been a more imposing, more overwhelming frontcourt unit seen in the PBA than the one San Miguel Beer is to parade by middle of next year — 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo in the middle and having beside him 6-foot-8 Christian Standhardinger and 6-foot-4 Arwind Santos.

Add the super backcourt duo of Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross plus deadly wingman Marcio Lassiter, and there should be no debate as to which is the team to reckon with in the league for years to come.

Three-time reigning Philippine Cup champion San Miguel, already packed with talents, is bound to be even a lot more formidable with the entry of Standhardinger at the end of the 2017-18 ABL season by April or May.

Thus, the Beermen couldn’t contain excitement as they formally gained the signing rights on the Fil-German center/forward following his selection as the No. 1 pick in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft at Robinson’s Place Manila Sunday.

“Even as we have to wait, we’re more than willing to do that for as long as we’ll have him. We’ll wait even if it’s for two or three years,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria, convinced they’ve got a prized catch that could help them win more championships in the league.

As what he has shown in his stints with Team Philippines in the Jones Cup, in the FIBA Asia Cup and in the Southeast Games, Standhardinger could well provide tremendous inside presence, defense and even scoring prowess.

For Austria, the only question is how quick he would adapt into the SMB system.

“We’re expecting great things from him. The important thing here and what we’re after for is to have good chemistry,” said Austria.

The SMB bench chieftain, however, is optimistic Standhardinger will fit in.

“Based on what we saw, he’s a hard worker and that’s the No. 1 thing we like from him,” said Austria.

Fajardo expressed excitement teaming up with Standhardinger.

“Nadagdagan kami ng big man. Sa wakas me pamalit kami kay Arwind (We’ve got additional big man. At last, we have a substitute for Arwind Santos),” said Fajardo, half-joking.

The two were teammates with Gilas Pilipinas in the recent FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon, but were not able to play together that much because of Fajardo’s calf injury then.

Nonetheless, Fajardo is hopeful his partnership with Standhardinger will work very well in the PBA.

“If I need to adjust for him to fit in, I will do it. I will do what I can to help him acquit with the team right away,” said Fajardo. 

They’re to form the tallest frontcourt duo in the league since the partnership of 7-foot-1 EJ Feihl and 6-foot-9 Marlou Aquino with Barangay Ginebra in the 90s. And they could well be the most explosive frontcourt tandem since Eric Menk and Sonny Alvarado formed a hot-scoring pair for Tanduay.

It remains to be seen, however, if they can produce as many championships as Abet Guidaben and Philip Cezar did with Crispa, Ramon Fernandez and Abe King with Toyota, and Alvin Patrimonio and Jerry Codinera with Purefoods.