MANILA, Philippines—There’s really no one way to stop, or even limit, the catastrophe that TNT big man Terrence Jones brings to opposing defenses.
San Miguel tried to match Jones up with four different defenders across the whole Game 1 of the finals with Christian Standhardinger doing most of it.
Standhardinger is listed at 6-foot-8, just an inch shorter than Jones, and this similarity in size was what made him Leo Austria’s first choice to defend TNT’s center.
Jones, however, still had his way against Standhardinger and the whole San Miguel defense putting up 41 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks in TNT’s 109-96 victory.
Standhardinger said that he’d be better defensively against Jones come Game 2.
“I was actually happy with my defense and I can build on that,” said Standhardinger Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Standhardinger, however, gave way to Kelly Nabong, Arwind Santos, and Chris Ross is facing Jones after he gambled twice in the first half allowing Jones to get an open lane.
The worse of the two gambles was Standhardinger’s steal attempt on Brian Heruela’s pass that gave Jones the chance to throw in a tomahawk tying the game at 19-all with 3:39 left in the first quarter.
Jones’ jam didn’t just put the game level for TNT, it sparked the KaTropa’s blistering 20-0 run across the first quarter that gave them a 37-19 lead that the Beermen couldn’t get out of.
Standhardinger acknowledged his gamble and he vowed to never make that mistake again.
“I gambled twice and then he scored, that was my mistake, he didn’t score anywhere else,” said Standhardinger who had 10 points and two rebounds in 19 minutes of play.
“I was actually good with that result and obviously I have to learn not to gamble at all, like giving him space and make sure that he doesn’t penetrate.”