Eager to move on from finals loss, Standhardinger grateful to be playing for PH anew

Christian Standhardinger’s early run in the PBA isn’t off to the greatest of starts.

After the ballyhoo that surrounded him entering the league, his first title series ended in disappointment when San Miguel bowed to Barangay Ginebra in six games in the Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday.

“Of course, it was very tough. I was thinking that when I signed a contract with the PBA it was one of the best things and the most accomplished thing in my life,” said Standhardinger after the Philippine national basketball team’s practice Thursday at Meralco Gym.

It wasn’t a great finals performance for Standhardinger, who averaged just 12.6 points in the finals series and was held to three points combined in the final two losses.

The Fil-German center, though, has a venue to release his frustrations, and this time it’s for a much bigger cause, in the upcoming Asian Games.

“Not winning the championship, it’s harder, so all I can do now is go on the court and play hard, sprint up and down, and I really hope we can make something happen in the Asian Games.”

Standhardinger has been chosen to represent the Philippines in the continental meet starting August 18 in a PBA-laden team mentored by NLEX coach Yeng Guiao, and he is nothing but grateful.

“I think it does help me get a little distracted and to move forward with it and keep it in the past, so I’m very grateful,” said Standhardinger.

Standhardinger, a former MVP in a second-tier league in Germany, already represented the country in the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur and the Fiba 3×3 World Cup.