By JONAS TERRADO
Games Today
(Mall of Asia Arena)
4:30 p.m. – Columbian vs Rain or Shine
7 p.m. – San Miguel vs Meralco
Rookie Christian Standhardinger will make his much-anticipated debut tonight when the San Miguel Beermen launch their bid for a second straight title and the defense of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup when they battle the Meralco Bolts at the Mall of Asia Arena.
All eyes will be on Standhardinger in the 7 p.m. contest after the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft missed the Beermen run at a fourth consecutive Philippine Cup crown due to his stint with Hong Kong Eastern in the ASEAN Basketball League.
While many see him pick up where he left off his ABL campaign, Standhardinger said he’ll embracing a more-complimentary role as he finally teams up with June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross and Alex Cabagnot.
“We have a great team so my role is obviously (going to be) different a little bit,” the 28-year-old Fil-German big man said after yesterday’s practice at the Acropolis gym. “I think I’ll be more in a supportive role, and that is why I’m gonna embrace (it) because the most important thing is winning championships.”
The arrival of Standhardinger to join Fajardo and import Troy Gillenwater in creating a strong presence in the paint should give the Beermen all the advantage they have against a Bolts squad powered by 2016 Commissioner’s Cup Best Import Arinze Onuaku.
Onuaku averaged 22.0 points, 15.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.0 blocks in the first three games that saw Meralco win twice.
“The good thing with our team is that if one of our big men comes out, we still have either Christian, June Mar or Gillenwater who can fill the void,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
Meanwhile, the unbeaten Rain or Shine Elasto Painters shoot for their fourth straight win and reclaim sole possession of the lead against the Columbian Dyip in the 4:30 p.m. opener.
Rain or Shine hopes to keep its strong start going after a week after defeating NLEX, 98-97, on import Reggie Johnson’s two free throws in the dying seconds at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
