Standhardinger shows mettle in HK Eastern's ABL win over Alab

MANILA, Philippines – Fil-German Christian Standhardinger is the future of Philippine basketball. At present, he is Alab Pilipinas’ bane.

Standhardinger unloaded the decisive blows as he powered defending champion Hong Kong Eastern to a 92-89 victory over Alab Pilipinas at the start of the ASEAN Basketball League at the MOA Arena in Pasay City Sunday night.

The 28-year-old, 6-7 Standhardinger, this year’s top rookie pick, powered his way to 26 points, including a pair of crucial jumpers in the stretch on top of 14 rebounds, to help the reigning champions to gain a piece of the early lead alongside Indonesia’s CLS Knights and China’s Kung Kungfu Nanhai.

He also spoiled the coaching debut of former PBA star and Gilas skipper Jimmy Alapag, who has taken over the coaching reins from Mac Cuan this season.

“If we only played with a sense of urgency in the first half, the outcome would have been different,” said Alapag.

Hong Kong blew a 15-point lead as Alab snatched a 74-73 lead early in the fourth quarter.

A 9-0 blast then gave Hong Kong back the lead, 82-74, but host country rallied its way back anew to stay in the game.

After Alab import Reggie Okosa drained a triple to cut it to a two-point deficit, Standhardinger swished a jumper to give his team a four-point cushion, 90-86.

Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., the reigning MVP who delayed turning pro for a year, drained a 3-pointer to cut it to a one-point deficit. But the Filipinos failed to foul Standhardinger and instead allowed him to hit an easy layup.

Alab had one last chance to knot the count and force overtime, but Josh Urbiztondo’s desperation three at midcourt rattled out before the final buzzer sounded.

Alab will play Singapore on November 29 at a still unspecified venue.

The scores:

Hong Kong Eastern 92 – Standhardinger 26, Elliott 25, Lamb 23, Moss 10, Xu 4, Lee 2, Tang 2, Wu 0, Lau 0.

Tanduay Alab Pilipinas 89 – Okosa 28, Parks 17, Johnson 17, Urbiztondo 14, Sumalinog 9, Domingo 2, Maierhofer 2, Raymundo 0, Celiz 0, Javelona 0, Hontiveros 0.

Quarterscores: 24-18; 54-43; 73-68; 92-89.