Give it time: Black thinks Standhardinger will become one of PBA’s best players

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Meralco coach Norman Black knows good talent when he sees one.

And Black had nothing but praise for Christian Standhardinger despite the San Miguel Beer rookie’s subpar PBA debut on Wednesday night.

“I know he’s good. It’s just his first game. He’s just got to find his game just like everybody else,” Black, who has multiple championships as player and coach, told reporters after the Bolts spoiled Standhardinger’s much-awaited first game for the San Miguel Beermen.

Standhardinger came off the bench and checked in late in the first quarter. He got off to a fast start, making a left baseline jumper in his first shot and had a couple of steals in his first three minutes.

But he couldn’t get anything going after that, finishing with only four points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 20 minutes.

But it’s only a matter of time before the Standhardinger that the Filipinos have come to love when he suited up as a naturalized player for the national team last year shows up and gets accustomed to the Beermen’s system and PBA brand of basketball.

“The imports come in and have to adjust and he’s gonna have to do the same,” Black said. “But we’ve seen this kid play and he’s going to be one of the best players in the league eventually. He’s tough, he’s physical.”