The San Miguel Beermen is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Meralco Bolts at 7:00 P.M. on May 9, 2018 live from the Mall of Asia Arena.

The defending champion is finally back and will start defending its crown this 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup while the Bolts are looking for a back-to-back victories.

Not only that the familiar Beermen squad is back in the PBA limelight, they will also parade a new import in the name of Troy Gillenwater but all eyes will be on Christian Standhardinger.

Standhardinger was the number one overall pick in the 2017 PBA Draft and joining the San Miguel Beermen via a trade from Kia Picanto (now Columbian Dyip) sparked a controversy.

He was absent during SMB’s All-Filipino Cup campaign due to his obligations with ABL’s Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions playing as an ASEAN heritage import. His ABL team unable to get past SMB Alab Pilipinas during the semi-finals round.

“He’s a consistent double-double performer. He’s even delivering 30-point games. He just had a hard time in the last two games as he had to contend with Renaldo Balkman and Justin Brownlee. His import partner was a mere role player,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.

With the spotlight is focused with Beermen, Meralco is preparing a spoiler. Chris Newsome will ride on his 30-point scoring explosion against NLEX in their last game.

Former Commissioner’s Cup Best Import, Arinze Onuaku will have its real test when as he will be matching up with either reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo, rookie big-man Christian Standhardinger or Troy Gillenwater.