by Jonas Terrado
Christian Standhardinger reported to San Miguel practice for the first time Saturday morning, a day after arriving in the country to begin his much-anticipated PBA career.
Standhardinger spent the two-hour practice at the Acropolis gym in Quezon City trying to familiarize with the plays of coach Leo Austria less than three weeks before the Beermen make their Commissioner's Cup debut against the Meralco Bolts at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The 28-year-old Fil-German, taken first overall by San Miguel in the draft last October, landed in Manila Friday after completing his stint with Hong Kong Eastern in the ASEAN Basketball League.
Hong Kong's ABL stint came to an end Sunday when it was swept by Alab Pilipinas in the semifinals, prompting Standhardinger to join the Beermen earlier than expected.
Standhardinger's first practice came without June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter and Alex Cabagnot, who are all expected to join the Beermen's preparation for the second conference later this month.
Chris Ross showed up but didn't join practice as he's still recovering from a strained right thigh that hounded him during San Miguel's successful run at a fourth straight Philippine Cup crown.