Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Norman Black believes Christian Standhardinger will be ‘one of the best players in the league’


Having been in the PBA for so long, coach Norman Black has seen players come and go. And on Wednesday night, the multi-decorated figure saw in person the arrival of 2017’s top overall pick, Christian Standhardinger.

Unfortunately, the Filipino-German forward wasn’t able to flex much in his debut. He played uncharacteristically, only churning out four points, five rebounds, and two assists while being whistled for five personal fouls.

But for Black, a single game is to small of a sample size to gauge how Standhardinger will fare in the league.

“It’s just his first game and he’s got to find his way into the PBA just like everybody else,” said the Meralco Bolts head coach after their 93-85 victory over Standhardinger and the San Miguel Beermen at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Black added that the 6-foot-8 slotman is in the same predicament as foreign reinforcements, that being accustomed with everything in the league — from the calls and to the style of play — are on top of their to-do list.

“Even imports come in and have to adjust so he’s going to have to do the same,” said Black, he himself one of the greatest imports to ever grace the PBA.

Standhardinger played a total of 19 minutes and 56 seconds Wednesday. With that time he graced the court, the Grand Slam coach took notice of his physical play — something that he can use in his PBA career.

2018-pba-commissioners-cup-san-miguel-def-meralco-christian-standhardinger Norman Black believes Christian Standhardinger will be 'one of the best players in the league' Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

Photo by PBA Images

“He’s tough, he’s physical,” shared the 60-year-old bench strategist. “We tried to use [Mac] Baracael on him tonight because Baracael’s probably our most physical player and we knew we had to fight fire with fire.

“But we couldn’t put somebody on him that would be timid and Baracael got a lot of fouls in the process.”

Still, the season is a long journey, and Standhardinger will have all the time to prove his worth. And for Black, he’s sire that the former German League Most Valuable Player will emerge as one of the league’s finest players.

#ReadMore  Solon bats for regulation of performance enhancing drugs in sports

“We’ve seen this kid play. Hs’s going to be one of the best players in the league eventually,” said one of the league’s all-time greats.

“He’s going to be a really good player in the PBA.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

BACOLOD – Japeth Aguilar has become wary of his team’s chances in the PBA All-Star Game 2024 this weekend following unexpected personnel changes. The...

Basketball

Meralco turned what was thought to be a dogfight to a lopsided mauling as it whipped Ginebra, 91-73, to arrest its two-game slide in...

Basketball

Jamie Malonzo’s redemption tour continued on Sunday. Malonzo once again led Ginebra San Miguel, leading their 102-92 rout of Phoenix to remain unblemished in...

Basketball

Northport made sure to get the job done before its long break, hacking out a 90-85 victory over Meralco to extend its streak to...

Basketball

In his first game back after figuring in a melee, Jamie Malonzo produced his finest performance. The 6-foot-7 winger, despite still nursing a black...

Basketball

Robert Bolick saved NLEX through clutch free throws once again to escape Meralco, 99-96, for its second win in the PBA Season 48 Philippine...

News

Bong Quinto came through in overtime as Meralco survived the hard-fighting Rain or Shine, 121-117, to barge into the win column of the PBA...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Rey Nambatac refused to see his debut become a footnote as he saved Blackwater from a massive collapse against Meralco, 96-93, in...

Advertisement