By JONAS TERRADO
Visions of a strong combination with June Mar Fajardo in the shaded lane were finally realized yesterday when Christian Standhardinger was greeted to the stage by the reigning four-time Most Valuable Player and the rest of the San Miguel Beermen, the biggest winner of the PBA Rookie Draft.
The long-haired 6-foot-8 Fil-German, was officially drafted as the No. 1 overall selection in the annual event held before fans and curious shoppers at the activity area of the Robinsons Place Manila.
He officially became San Miguel’s biggest addition in the draft since Fajardo’s selection as the No. 1 pick in 2012, two days after PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa allowed Kia to deal its right in the proceeding to the talented Beermen squad that fell short of winning the Grand Slam in the just-concluded season.
Standhardinger, 28, said he showed little concern over the drama that surrounded the trade, which was rejected twice by Narvasa and had some league members expressing complaint over the one-sided deal.
“I’m actually really good at letting everything out,” said Standhardinger, who flew from Hong Kong early yesterday to take part in the first event of the PBA’s 43rd season. “I don’t really pay attention to these things. I’m just happy it finally worked out. I’ll play in the PBA now and I’ll play with San Miguel.”
PBA fans, particularly Beermen supporters, will have to wait a little longer before Standhardinger gets to suit up. He is contracted to play for six months with the Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions of the ASEAN Basketball League, a deal the Gilas Pilipinas mainstay signed before he submitted his draft application in August.
“Every PBA team knew that I’m not gonna be available for the next six months. So I’m gonna play for Hong Kong and then I hope to continue winning championships with San Miguel,” said Standhardinger, who flew back to Hong Kong to begin work for the Long Lions’ bid to retain the ABL title.
Happy with having Standhardinger was Fajardo, who had an idea of how to play with the hardworking cager when Gilas finished seventh in the FIBA Asia Cup in Beirut, Lebanon last August.
“Alam naman natin kung anu yung laro ni Christian e, yung hustle niya, yung rebounding niya. So sana maganda magiging campaign namin kasama siya,” said Fajardo.
NLEX made the other expected choice with Kiefer Ravena as the second overall selection. Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao finally got his wish to take the former Ateneo player and four-time Southeast Asian Games gold medal winner.
Ravena expressed relief over having his name called, saying: “Iba pa rin siyempre kapag tinawag na yung pangalan mo dun sa podium. Sobrang dream come true.”
The next two picks were talented big men from the UAAP and the PBA D-League with Blackwater getting Raymar Jose and Phoenix taking Jason Perkins, prompting Alaska to get with the next best talent in two-time UAAP champion Jeron Teng of La Salle at No. 5.
Teng was projection to be a top-three selection but nonetheless felt ecstatic about being drafted by the Aces.
