MANILA, Philippines — Just in time.
Having missed the majority of the elimination phase and the quarterfinal leg of the PBA’s Commissioner’s Cup, San Miguel Beer’s first-overall pick Christian Standhardinger is raring to go.
And it showed.
“It just felt good to be out there again and yes, it was also exciting,” the Filipino-German forward told the press shortly after the Beermen’s pace-setting win over the Alaska Aces on Saturday night.
“I’m 100 percent healthy now,” Standhardinger added.
The Germany-born cager, who traces his Filipino roots through her mother, missed a total of six games in the first round, and then two more in the team’s series against TNT KaTropa.
The versatile big man, who has donned the Gilas Pilipinas tricolors even before a stint in the PBA, had nine points and five boards against the second-ranked Aces, who were missing the services of playmaker Chris Banchero and raging-bull forward Calvin Abueva.
All of Standhardinger’s points came in the second period — where the Beermen flipped the switch and started to take the wheel from the pesky Aces. Although it is worth noting that he was only able to see action for only 11 minutes.
“Whatever is needed, if it's rebounding or defense I will adjust. Our goal is to win the championship,” he noted.
The Beermen, penciled as the team to beat by virtually every other squad in the PBA, are the reigning champions of the mid-season joust. Their lineup also touts two Most Valuable Players, a Gilas pioneer, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and an tested import who played in the National Basketball Association.
And as if those aren’t enough, Standhardinger hinted that he has much more to offer.
“I can go however long they want to play me,” he said. “They just let me know and I go.”