Christian Standhardinger paces Ginebra in finals-berth clinching win over San Miguel. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Christian Standhardinger considers Barangay Ginebra’s comeback win that completed the sweep of San Miguel Beer in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals as a testament to the team’s refusal to quit.
“That’s something special,” Standhardinger said after his go-ahead basket off a Justin Brownlee assist in the dying seconds sealed the 87-85 win and a third straight trip to the Finals of the season-ending conference.
Ginebra could have just let San Miguel extend the series to a fourth game after trailing by 17 early in the third quarter.
But Standhardinger along with Brownlee, Scottie Thompson and Jeremiah Gray helped the Gin Kings will their way back and eventually got a result that seemed unexpected in the eyes of coach Tim Cone.
“I’m so proud of my guys,” Standhardinger continued. “I’m honored to be part of this group of people that we have. We don’t quit.
“This is something very, very special, to not quit even though you’re up 2-0 in the series. I’m just glad I’m part of this team,” he added.
Ginebra will get a crack at a Governors’ Cup three-peat and five out of the last six editions against the winner of the TNT-Meralco semis.
And Standhardinger believes it can carry that determined effort against the Beermen into the PBA’s grandest stage.
“We have so many great players. It’s just figuring out what we can do to play the odds and to play the probabilities right,” he said.