PBA: MVP or not, Standhardinger keeps focus on winning titles

FILE–Ginebra Gin Kings’ Christian Standhardinger during a PBA game. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger knows where he stands in the list of MVP candidates for the PBA’s 48th season.

That, however, is no reason for him to be complacent as the league’s 48th season beckons.

“Obviously, it’s always an honor, especially if you look at the list [of candidates]. But that’s something that I can’t control. I can just go hard during the regular season, try my best and see what comes out,” said Standhardinger during the PBA Media Day at One Esplanade on Wednesday.

“That’s [individual award] something you don’t want to think about as a player. You want to think about how we can get ready for the next conference and how we can win more championships, that’s basically the goal of ours.”

Standhardinger already has the Best Player Conference plum from the season-ending Governors’ Cup tournament, where Ginebra fell to TNT in six games of the Finals.

He averaged 22.2 points, 10.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game during that run to take the award and boosted him into the race for the MVP award,
alongside fellow Gin King Scottie Thompson and San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo.

Standhardinger and the stacked Kings will get added help in their bid in the coming Cmmissioner’s Cup after the team acquired Mav Ahanmisi during the offseason.

Jokingly, Standhardinger said the addition relieves him of the pressure.

“I’m just happy now that we have Maverick, right? ‘Cause now if we don’t win the championship we can blame Maverick,” said the high-motor big man.
“Oh, here we go,” Ahanmisi quipped after overhearing the exchange.

On a more serious note, Ahanmisi’s presence would be huge for Ginebra, as he is coming off a career-best season with Converge, posting averages of
19.9 points to go along with 6.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

Standhardinger, Ahanmisi and Ginebra will kick off their Commissioners’ Cup bid when they face FiberXers on Nov. 17 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.