June Mar Fajardo remained positive regarding Christian Standhardinger even if the Filipino-German bruiser had an underwhelming PBA debut on Wednesday night, as the San Miguel Beermen faced the Meralco Bolts.
Standhardinger, the top pick of the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft, apparently got consumed by first-game jitters, only producing four points on 2-of-5 shooting along with five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Making his first game even more painful is the fact that s
“Matagal na rin si Christian naglalaro eh, so makaka-adapt din siya sa sistema ni coach,” expressed Fajardo moments after the match at Mall of Asia Arena.
“First game niya kanina, bago siya sa tawagan, pero hindi naman big deal yun.”
But of course, it will all pan out as soon as they improve their meshing, said the reigning Most Valuable Player.
“Yung chemistry [tatrabahuhin] lang . Bago si Christian so kailangan namin yun para ma-execute ang plays namin,” shared the Cebuano, who had 16 points and seven rebounds in the defeat. “Kanina nagawa naman, ‘di lang na-shoot mga tira namin. Part naman ng game yun.
“‘Di lang din namin naexecute ng maayos ang mga plays pero nandoon kami eh.”
The Beermen were indeed there near the end. The match had been a see-saw battle, until the Bolts, thanks to Baser Amer and Chris Newsome, made an 11-4 rally en route to an 88-81 lead, which was more than enough to seal the win.
Still, it’s only the Beermen’s’s first game. And for Fajardo, adjustments will definitely take place as the mid-season conference rolls on, as they are motivated to retain their hold of the throne as the kings of the Commissioner’s Cup.
“Malakas din yung kalaban eh. Siyempre nakaka-disappoint na matalo pero ganun talaga. Buti first game lang ito,” said the 28-year-old slotman.
“Marami pa kaming games na lalaruin. Kailangan lang naming mag-adjust.”
