Standhardinger gets litmus test

I’m happy for him because he was able to contribute a lot here and now he can get the playing time he needs with NorthPort.

Christian Standhardinger gets his first shot against his former team as NorthPort battles San Miguel Beer in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup today at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Traded last week, Standhardinger tries to lead Batang Pier as they collide with the second-running Beermen at 7 p.m. right after the opening match between Blackwater and Rain or Shine at 4:30 p.m.

San Miguel made a surprise move after sending the Filipino-German forward to NorthPort for Mo Tautuaa, who debuted for the Beermen with 10 points in their 113-107 win over Columbian Dyip.

This will be Standhardinger’s first game since he switched places with Tautuaa and San Miguel head coach Leo Austria expects the former to flourish with his new team.

“I’m sure he’ll be able to show his full potential now. I’m happy for him because he was able to contribute a lot here and now he can get the playing time he needs with NorthPort,” Austria said.

Dez Wells had 39 points, nine rebounds and five assists against the Dyip while June Mar Fajardo added 19 points and 13 boards. Alex Cabagnot and Terrence Romeo netted 15 and 12 points, respectively, for the Beermen, who improved their mark to 5-1.

Batang Pier are currently holding a 2-4 record and are coming off an 80-70 win over Phoenix that snapped their four-game losing streak.

Tautuaa was even part of the squad and tallied 16 points and nine rebounds while Paolo Taha and Mychal Ammons contributed 14 and 12 markers, respectively.

NorthPort is parading a new import in Michael Qualls, who replaced Ammons.

“They’re (San Miguel) a strong team but we’ll see. I hope we can keep it going. I just told them to regroup, refocus. Fix our goal and let’s take it one game at a time,” Jarencio said.

Meanwhile, The Elasto Painters and the Elite try to get back on the winning track and stay in the race for a quarterfinal slot.

Rain or Shine is sitting at the lower half of the standings with a 1-5 and tries to snap a four-game slide.

The Elasto Painters, who are coming off a 71-78 loss to Alaska, are also parading a new import in Kwame Alexander, who replaced Kayel Locke.

Who averaged 22 points and nine rebounds in three games with Rain or Shine.

The Elite are holding a 2-4 mark and are also coming off a 97-106 defeat to Meralco.