Standhardinger set to join Beermen this week

MANILA, Philippines – Christian Standhardinger is flying in Friday evening, joining the San Miguel Beer training camp earlier than expected following an early exit in the ABL caused by a loss to another SMC team – San Miguel Pale Pilsen Alab Pilipinas.

“We did expect him to come before the start of the second conference, but not the start of our training. But because their ABL playoff ride was cut short, he’ll be with us just on the second day of our training,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.

The Beermen resume training Friday morning, two days before the PBA Commissioner’s Cup opening twinbill at the Smart Araneta Coliseum featuring Blackwater versus Columbian Dyip (Kia Picanto) and TNT KaTropa opposite GlobalPort.

San Miguel and Magnolia, however, won’t play a game at least in the first week of the tourney, being the finalists in the recent all-Filipino tourney.

Standhardinger made great impression in his ABL stint although his team Hong Kong Eastern failed to make it past the semifinals, swept by SMB Alab in their best-of-three series.

“He’s a consistent double-double performer. He’s even delivering 30-point games. He just had a hard time in the last two games as he had to contend with Renaldo Balkman and Justin Brownlee. His import partner was a mere role player,” said Austria.

The San Miguel coach said the 6-foot-8 Fil-German player is capable of playing the small forward, big forward and center spots.

“He’s an agile big man and he would give us much flexibility,” said Austria.

“Against Alab, he was even depending on Justin Brownlee who’s playing from the outside, and he did a good job. It means he can play the No. 3 position and be on the floor together with Arwind Santos and June Mar Fajardo,” Austria added.

Will Standhardinger be in SMB’s starting unit?

“It depends against the team that we’re playing. If we play a team that plays three bigs like Ginebra, Magnolia and Alaska, then we’ll also utilize three bigs,” said Austria.

San Miguel also features an import that can play multi-position as the team chases a possible second jewel to a possible grand slam season.

 “Troy Gillenwater has a good perimeter player and can also play the post,” said Austria. “He’s our regular import, not a fill-in import. I’m confident he’s capable of playing the whole tourney.”

Austria, however, doesn’t rule out the possibility of playing old imports Charles Rhodes or Balkman later on.

“Just like all the other teams, it you’re not happy with the game of your import, you would explore your options. But like I’ve said, I’m confident with Troy,” said Austria.