Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Christian Standhardinger had his best offensive game in his PBA career when he led NorthPort against Alaska in the PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The versatile 6-foot-8 big man put up a career-high 37 points with 16 rebounds and five assists but the Batang Pier fell short against Alaska, 106-99.
Standhardinger said he’d rather be more of a facilitator from the post instead of the one ending the plays with his shots especially with rookie point guard out from the lineup due to an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his right knee.
“The points are the last thing on my mind right now. I want to do a better job of moving the ball and getting the guys shots because I’m surrounded by a lot of great basketball players and a lot of great shooters,” said Standhardinger.
“It’s very important for us as a team that everybody gets enough shots and that makes everyone a threat.”
Without Bolick to facilitate the offense, the Batang Pier relied mainly on Standhardinger and Michael Qualls to create the shots.
Qualls had 35 points and 15 rebounds but it was only him and Standhardinger who finished in double figures in scoring.
Sean Anthony and Garvo Lanate are the two other Batang Pier to come close to the 10-point mark with eight points apiece.
“Robert is a tremendous player and he’s not, without reason, one of the best guys who performed in the last Gilas tournament [World Cup]. Obviously we’re missing him. He plays tremendous defense, has a high basketball IQ,” said Standhardinger.
Before the game against the Aces, NorthPort averaged 22.1 assists with Bolick averaging 6.0 for himself.
“We missed him but we need to figure out how we can win without him and move forward,” said Standhardinger after NorthPort slipped to 3-5 for the eighth spot.