Standhardinger rushes to Kuala Lumpur for Gilas-Thai SEAG match
KUALA LUMPUR – Christian Standhardinger is skipping Gilas Pilipinas’ consolation-round matches in the FIBA Asia Cup in Beirut to be with the Gilas cadet team as it opens its SEAG gold-medal quest versus Thailand here Sunday.
The 6-foot-8 Fil-German center/forward leaves Beirut ahead of the rest of the elite Gilas squad that is to tangle with host Lebanon tonight.
Instead, Standhardinger will be with the Gilas cadets as they take on Thailand and its naturalized player Tyler Lamb on opening day of SEAG men’s basketball tournament at the MABA Gymnasium in the Malaysian capital.
Gilas cadet coach Jong Uichico considers the Thais as the biggest threat in Team Philippine’s title-retention bid.
The Gilas cadet team is heavy at guard and wing spots but has only Standhardinger and Troy Rosario to man the middle.
Kiefer Ravena, Baser Amer, Almond Vosotros and Mike Tolomia rotate at the backcourt while Bobby Ray Parks, Kevin Ferrer and Von Pessumal are the main outside weapons.
Raymar Jose and Kobe Paras provide extra muscles in the frontline.
Still uncertain is whether Mac Belo will be allowed by the organizers to take over from Carl Bryan Cruz.
Standhardinger will surely be a tremendous boost for the Gilas cadets as he was in the Jones Cup and in the FIBA Asia Cup.
A veteran in the German league, Standhardinger led Gilas in efficiency in the Beirut joust. He averaged 16.0 points and 5.7 rebounds.
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