Photo by Randolph B. Leongson/ INQUIRER.net
Christian Standhardinger couldn’t be any calmer as he prepares for his PBA debut.
“I feel great,” he said on Tuesday, not minding the hype surrounding his long-awaited arrival as San Miguel takes on Meralco at Mall of Asia Arena.
Wednesday’s match may be one of the season’s most sought-after games because of Standhardinger alone, but the top pick of the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft is tempering expectations as he has accepted his reduced role with the Beermen.
READ: Standhardinger: ‘I’m not a rookie’
“We have a great team. My role here is obviously different a little bit. I’m gonna be in a more supportive role and that’s what I’m gonna embrace. The most important thing is we win championships,” he said.
Standhardinger also said he hasn’t given much whether he’ll be starting, coming off the bench, or being the team’s biggest booster.
“The way I see it, as long as we win, you can play me two minutes. On the bench, I’ll be the best cheerleader there is. There’s not gonna be any problems for me here,” he said.
READ: San Miguel will only get better
“I’m all about winning, and that’s it. I’m not worried about personal glory. I feel I’ve had enough in my career playing in Europe, having a good impact in the ABL. That’s not what I’m all about. I’m all about winning and they know that here. I make sure there won’t be any problems.”
What Standhardinger is looking forward to, though, is playing in front of Filipino fans on a regular basis, feeding off the fans’ enthusiasm regardless of the reactions he garners.
“I just know that a lot of fans cheer for me and I have a good connection with many fans, but I always know that a lot of fans boo me. It’s ok,” he said. “It’s like a relationship, sometimes we have good times and sometimes, we have bad times. No matter if its good times or bad times, I love the Filipino fans. I can’t wait to play in front of them and soak in all of this great atmosphere, great energy from the Filipino people.”