Standout performance
Standhardinger carries load for Hong Kong Eastern vs Alab Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — PBA top rookie pick Christian Standhardinger showed what he could bring to the San Miguel Beermen early next year as he fired 26 points to power Hong Kong Eastern to a 92-89 victory over Alab Pilipinas at the start of the ASEAN Basketball League at the MOA Arena late Sunday.
The 28-year-old, 6-7 Standhardinger hit a pair of clutch jumpers to fend off the rallying Alab side. The Fil-German also pulled down 14 rebounds to help the reigning champions gain a piece of the early lead with Indonesia’s CLS Knights and China’s Kung Kungfu Nanhai.
The Knights smothered the Chinese Taipei’s Formosa Dreamers, 94-73, in Surabaya, Indonesia while Nanhai dismantled the Singapore Slingers, 83-59, in Nanhai, China.
Standhardinger, who also played for two Gilas Pilipinas teams, 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.
Alapag rued his wards poor start that saw the hosts trail the HK side by 11 points at the turn.
“If we only played with a sense of urgency in the first half, the outcome would have been different,” said Alapag.
But Alab actually overcame a 15-point deficit and grabbed a 74-73 lead early in the fourth quarter, only to fall behind again as HK unloaded a 9-0 counterattack to regain the lead for good.
After Alab import Reggie Okosa hit a triple to pull the hosts within two again, Standhardinger knocked in a jumper to give HK a four-point cushion, 90-86.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr., the reigning MVP, drained a three-pointer to threaten within one again but the Filipinos failed to stop or foul Standhardinger, who eluded the defense for an easy layup.
Alab had one last chance to tie the count and force overtime but Josh Urbiztondo’s desperation three at midcourt rattled out, enabling the HK Selection to escape with a three-point victory.
Alab will play Singapore on Nov. 29 at a still unspecified venue.
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