Standhardinger: You never count San Miguel out

Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger against San Miguel defenders in game 1 of the PBA semifinals. –PBA PHOTO

ANTIPOLO CITY — Christian Standhardinger said Barangay Ginebra can’t afford to waste a huge lead that almost cost Barangay Ginebra a victory in Game 1 of their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series with San Miguel Beer.

“Even if we’re up by 15, even if we’re up by 20, we need to keep pushing,” Standhardinger said after Friday’s 121-112 victory at Ynares Center here that gave the Gin Kings a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five duel between the two squads from San Miguel Corporation.

The Gin Kings had a 21-point lead late in the third and were up 95-80 when the Beermen reeled off 15 consecutive points to begin the fourth and tie the game.

It took some timely baskets from Jamie Malonzo and Standhardinger and key stops on the other end to secure the win in the semis opener.

“You never count them out and I think that’s the lesson that we need to take out of this game even though it’s a happy ending for us,” he said.

“They got some great shooters and some great scorers, and in about five minutes, boom, it was an even game. We need to keep pushing out there and play the best defense that we can play.”

Ginebra’s Jamie Malonzo. -PBA IMAGES

Standhardinger was again a key presence for Ginebra, finishing with 33 points in his highest-scoring game since joining the team in 2021.

He also had 10 rebounds and five assists for the reigning champions of the season-ending conference.

His performance came with San Miguel missing the services of June Mar Fajardo due to an MCL injury he suffered in the East Asia Super League Champions Week earlier this month.

“Obviously, they are a better team with June Mar because he’s a six-time MVP and you can’t disrespect June Mar,” Standhardinger said of his former teammate.

“But you can’t take away the fact that they’re a different team without him. They’re a bit more fast-paced, they still have so much talent to play great, great basketball. I’m just happy that we went out and got the victory and got it done today.”