Mendoza: Player movements

IT was an auspicious Sunday debut for Terence Romeo at TNT KaTropa, but not for Mo Tautuaa at GlobalPort.

They were the main actors in the recently celebrated player-swap—Romeo, the scoring sensation, being shipped from GlobalPort to TNT in exchange for Tautuaa, the one-time No. 1 pick on PBA Draft Day.

Romeo did not only shine brighter than Tautuaa. Tautuaa got himself thrown out for rough play.

Although Romeo had a measly 11 points, his overall performance augured well in Nash Racela’s objective for the long haul as TNT’s 128-114 rout of GlobalPort highlighted KaTropa’s balanced firepower.

Look, 7 of the total 13 players fielded in by Racela scored in double figures. Surely, teamwork was best typified here, sending an emphatic message to the opposition of TNT’s redesigned offense.

In contrast to Romeo’s above-average play, Tautuaa, the giant Fil-Tongan, was a mere shadow of himself, tabbing a mere 10 points. A big letdown as Tautuaa was supposed to dominate scoring for a team wanting in baskets now—especially with Romeo not a Batang Pier anymore.

Speaking of player movements, the much-awaited arrival of Christian Standhardinger to San Miguel Beer has remained the chief clubhouse talk.

The Fil-German’s first first-day appearance was aborted but when he finally showed up at SMB’s first practice last weekend, his arrival became grist for news.

With Standhardinger’s coming, expectations are much higher than usual as regards San Miguel Beer’s bid for a second straight PBA crown in the Commissioner’s Cup.

At 6-foot-8, Standhardinger isn’t just a power forward but a more than suitable reliever for 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo as well. Add SMB’s 6-foot-9 import and, as has been already articulated here, you have a ceilinged squad so lethal, indeed—on paper.

I say that because, will Standhardinger blend that fast with SMB, which already boasts of having the best starting five the last four years?

Until we see him play as a Beerman, Standhardinger’s worth will remain unknown.

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