Out-clause in Christian’s contract?

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-German Christian Standhardinger said yesterday he’s not allowed to talk about the terms of his six-month Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions contract even as there’s speculation that he will be cleared to play for Gilas during the ABL season in case of a call to duty with the national team.

“I’m sorry I’m not able to disclose to media the terms of my contract,” said Standhardinger a few hours before boarding a flight to Kuala Lumpur. “With regard to applying for the PBA draft, at the moment, I can’t say yes or no. I don’t really know the complications. It’s something I’ll need to study.” What seemed certain was Standhardinger’s commitment with Gilas.

Standhardinger arrived in Manila last Friday from playing three games in the FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon. He was supposed to spend the night at the Gilas quarters in Mandaluyong but because of the heavy traffic from the airport, SBP executive director Sonny Barrios gave the go-signal to check in at the Ascott Hotel in Makati instead. “Christian hardly had any sleep then he was caught in traffic for about three hours along Magallanes so I advised (SBP operations manager) Xander (Gubat), who picked him up at the airport, to go to Ascott rather than take a few more hours going to Mandaluyong,” said Barrios.  “It gave Christian extra hours of rest.”

Standhardinger said the trip back to Manila was gruelling. “I left the hotel in Lebanon at about 10 in the morning then the drive to the airport took about 1 1/2 hours,” he said. “My flight was to Abu Dhabi where the layover was six to eight hours. Then, I flew to Manila. We were stuck in traffic for three hours so I’m very grateful to Mr. Barrios for advising to check in at Ascott which is closer to the airport.  I got some good rest overnight.”

Standhardinger said he’s excited to battle in the SEA Games. “I’ll give my best every game,” he said. “I hope we become victorious this time and I can’t wait to see us lift that championship trophy.”

Gilas’ SEA Games coach Jong Uichico said the decision to fly Standhardinger early to K. L. was made after Wednesday’s loss to South Korea in the FIBA Asia Cup took the national team out of title contention. The previous plan was for Standhardinger to stay in Lebanon until the end of the FIBA Asia Cup but it would mean missing the game against Thailand in K. L. tonight.

Standhardinger and Carl Bryan Cruz were initially picked from the FIBA Asia Cup roster to play in K. L. At presstime, SBP deputy executive director for domestic affairs Bernie Atienza was to attend the SEA Games team managers’ meeting in K. L. to request for a player change from Cruz to Mac Belo. Atienza said he will submit a medical certificate showing Cruz with an MCL injury. 

“I will find out during the meeting if there’s a fine to make a replacement,” said Atienza. “FIBA and FIBA Asia impose a fine but SEABA or the SEA Games may not. Mac was in the 24-man list of players previously submitted and accredited for the SEA Games so it shouldn’t be a problem to replace.” 

Standhardinger, 28, is classified by FIBA as a naturalized import since he was issued his Philippine passport after turning 16. FIBA does not recognize the 6-8 Standhardinger’s Filipino bloodline as basis to establish status as a local player. So in the event Gilas rehires Andray Blatche for the FIBA home-and-away qualifying series for the 2019 FIBA World Cup, there will be no spot for Standhardinger in the lineup as FIBA permits only one naturalized import per national team.