MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Top draft pick Christian Standhardinger made his much-awaited PBA debut but it did not end well for San Miguel as the Meralco Bolts toppled the Beermen, 93-85, in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, May 9.

Baser Amer took charge late and poured in 13 points in the final 6 minutes for Meralco, which gave the Beermen a rude welcoming party from their Philippine Cup championship a month ago. 

San Miguel led by as much 7 points early in the 4th quarter, 75-68, before Amer caught fire and scored 11 points in a 17-6 spurt that gave the Bolts an 85-81 lead with less than 3 minutes remaining. 

Amer finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists while Chris Newsome chalked up 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in the Bolts’ 3rd win in 4 outings.

Standhardinger, who was coming off a stint with Hong Kong Eastern in the ASEAN Basketball League, struggled to find his footing all game, registering 4 points, 5 rebounds, two assists and two steals against two turnovers and 5 fouls. 

“It’s so tough to beat San Miguel because they’re so talented, they’re so big. It’s almost like a challenge that’s so, so big that it’s very difficult to accomplish it but this is a big win for us,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black.

Arinze Onuaku, double-teamed throughout, still filled up the stats sheet with 13 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, two steals and two blocks as Meralco makes it two win in a row. 

Import Troy Gillenwater led the way for San Miguel with 19 points and 14 rebounds while Alex Cabagnot messed with a triple-double of 16 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. 

June Mar Fajardo had 16 points and 7 rebounds in the Beermen’s conference-opening loss. 

The Scores:

Meralco (93): Amer 28, Newsome 23, Dillinger 14, Onuaku 13, Hodge 5, Caram 5, Baracael 2, Tolomia 2, Canaleta 1, Hugnatan 0, Bono 0 

San Miguel (85): Gillenwater 19, Fajardo 16, Cabagnot 16, Lassiter 15, Santos 10, Standhardinger 4, Heruela 3, Ross 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 0 

Quarter scores: 23-24; 45-41; 68-65; 93-85

– Rappler.com