‘C-Stan’ on track for personal PBA treble

MANILA, Philippines — NorthPort slotman Christian Standhardinger is on track to score a personal grand slam this season as the Batang Pier advanced to the PBA Governors’ Cup semis at the expense of No. 1 NLEX.

The Fil-German, who’s won the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup titles with former team San Miguel, stressed, however, that he’s not looking too far ahead for there’s still an important immediate business to deal with – Barangay Ginebra in the semis.

“No I’m not thinking about it (grand slam for myself),” he insisted.

Standhardinger was traded by the Beermen to NorthPort for Mo Tautuaa early in the Governors’ Cup. SMB missed out on a hat-trick of crowns after getting axed by Ginebra in the quarerfinals while its former backup center stayed in the hunt for his.

Now the same Gin Kings are threatening to foil Standhardinger’s possible treble in the best-of-five series that begins Dec. 14.

“Ginebra’s an amazing team. For me, they’re the team to beat this conference and they have a winning culture already so we need to prepare good and play hard and give our best and that’s all you can do against a good and well-coached team like Ginebra,” he said.

Under-utilized at SMB, Standhardinger has had a field day strutting his stuff for NorthPort.

In fact, “C-Stan” played for 61 minutes and 02 seconds – that’s one hour, two seconds worth of high-stake action – as the Batang Pier completed their reversal over NLEX with a hard-earned 126-123 victory in triple overtime.

“I don’t think I played this long (in my entire career before) but I’m doing a good job in my diet and I’m in tip top shape so I’m happy,” said Standhardinger.

He accounted for 33 points, 23 rebounds and seven assists in his marathon outing and as if showing his incredible condition and commitment, the 6-foot-8 bruiser even attended Gilas Pilipinas’ practice the morning after.

“Like I said when my knee wasn’t good yet a few months ago, I will be peaking for the SEA Games. I’m peaking so I don’t think nobody will doubt that I’m peaking right now for the SEA Games. And that’s very important for me because I really want to put my best basketball-wise for the country and Gilas,” he said.