Amid all the outcry from the league’s fans, 2017 PBA Rookie Draft first overall pick Christian Standhardinger has set his sights locked on one thing: helping powerhouse team San Miguel Beermen become even better and deadlier.
“I’m just gonna have to fight [to earn a spot in the team] and I hope I can make this very strong team a little bit better and that’s my goal,” said the 28-year-old moments after his selection, Sunday at Robinson’s Place Manila.
The Fil-German is aware of what transpired in the past week surrounding the way SMB had secured the top pick from Kia Picanto, a moved deemed controversial. But for Standhardinger, that is the least of his concerns.
“I’m actually really good at letting everything out. I’m really good at just focusing on my projects, like my Youtube channel that I’m gonna do in the Philippines now in English, and about my career in basketball,” he said. “So I don’t really pay attention to these things. I’m just happy it finally worked out. I’ll play in the PBA now and I’ll play with San Miguel,” added the Munich-born cager.
“Finally I’m officially part of the PBA and I’m very, very excited about it.”
Aside from finally having the opportunity to play in Asia’s first-ever play-for-pay league, what makes the six-foot-eight forward excited is his looming partnership with reigning four-time Most Valuble Player June Mar Fajardo.
“June Mar is a great, great talent. He can do so many things. I’m very excited,” said Standhardinger. “All the match-ups against us, I really wanna see that. I’m very excited on playing high-low with June Mar and it’s an honor and it’s a great thing that I can play with a four-time returning MVP.
“That’s what I got, that’s what I had, that’s what I saw.”
Now, what can the storied franchise and its faithful expect from him, he was asked.
“A lot of puso, a lot of fight, and the rest is kinda on the side. But I’m gonna fight my heart out every time,” shared Standhardinger.
But before fully shifting his focus to playing in the PBA, Standhardinger will have to honor his commitment with defending ASEAN Basketball League champs Hongkong Eastern Sports Club, where he will suit up for six months.
“I’m obviously trying to win a championship in Hongkong now and after that I can’t wait to be part of the PBA, a part of San Miguel,” he assured.
“I hope to continue winning championships with San Miguel.”
