Standhardinger’s whirlwind year

Christian Standhardinger grew up a citizen of the world, moving around with his family, raised having been exposed to different cultures. But the last year was more of a whirlwind, from playing for Gilas Pilipinas in a FIBA tournament to the Southeast Asian Games, entering the PBA Rookie Draft, suiting up in the ASEAN Basketball League, and finally, joining San Miguel Beer in the PBA.

“My grandpa – I was visiting LA because I grew up in Germany. Me and my grandpa were up at six o’clock in the morning to get away from the heat and played basketball because my grandpa played basketball,” the 6’8” forward told The Star. “He taught me how to lay-up and then I went back to Germany and started playing basketball. That is my earliest memory.”

Though he was a very tall and skinny kid, Standhardinger loved to compete, to test himself against other players. He and his two sisters grew up primarily with their mother, and thus, were always keenly aware of their Filipino roots. They frequently ate Filipino food regardless of where they lived, and were brought up with the values of hard work, integrity and family first.

“I always had fun travelling. I don’t really miss places. I miss people,” Christian reveals. “As long as I have great people, and now with technology I can always Skype and I can always call them. So I am fine. I have no problem traveling whatsoever.”

Now based in the Philippines full time, Standhardinger keeps in touch with his four closest friends online and with regular visits. He has saved enough for his mother to retire from her work in Germany, but she’s opted to just visit him on her vacation. Meanwhile, his reputation as a great teammate and someone who gets along with people has preceded him. He is a genuinely likable person, and puts in the hours needed for his craft, a mechanism he developed early on.

“I think it comes from insecurity,” he admits. “In the past I always thought that to be successful, I have to be a certain way and I always had my own standard, and I had to make up for whatever lack there is, so I worked hard and I guess that became a habit.”

His self-confessed goal is “to win every championship” for the Beermen, who are still building momentum after a long championship run in the last conference. In the meantime, Standhardinger was selected for next month’s FIBA 3x3 World Cup an honor he did not expect.

“I was surprised. You don’t want to take it for granted, I feel. It is a big honor to play for the country,” the national team veteran says. “Roger (Pogoy) and Troy (Rosario) are great guys and I am sure that Stanley Pringle is a great guy too, so I am excited for it. I think we can win it if we try hard and play the Filipino way.”

Having spent his life around all sorts of people, Christian Standhardinger has learned to simplify his dealings with people. He values consistency in word and action, and accepts anyone who is true to himself.

“I am very open. I like honesty. I think you should be honest with yourself. Even if you are a jerk but are honest about it, I like that, too. I cannot get on with people who say one thing but do another. So far, with all the teams, the players have been very honest with themselves and I can get on with them.”

For now, the whirlwind stops in the Philippines, as he once again finds his way to the top.