For the second straight game, Christian Standhardinger did not suit up for the San Miguel Beermen, this Wednesday evening. And it’s because his knee is still bothering him.
“We made an MRI, so there’s nothing broken. It just swells up because all my muscles are very, very tight. And then when it swells up, it can lock, and when it locks I can’t move anymore,” the 28-year-old Filipino-German disclosed after San Miguel’s 129-117 win over the Columbian Dyip.
“So that’s what I’m worried about.”
Because of this, the entire country is holding their breath for whether or not he can make it to the 2018 FIBA 3X3 World Cup. With just three days until the Philippines’ campaign begins, even Standhardinger does not know if he can make it.
“No, there’s no guarantee. But I can say that I will try everything in my power,” shared Standhardinger, who will team up with Troy Rosario, Roger Pogoy, and Stanley Pringle for the tournament.
“I can only say day by day. So I’m gonna like be at practice, I’m gonna sit there. I hope it doesn’t swell up more. Obviously, I’m trying everything in my power to play on Saturday. And San Miguel is doing a great job backing me for that goal,” he reassured.
The 2017 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist is doing everything he can to make it.
“So I’ve been stretching a lot, I’ve been doing a lot of physiotherapy and really trying to loosen that thing up, so I’ll be ready on Saturday, especially on the floor,” he said. “You know the floor is very hard, you know? It’s not like a wooden floor, so that is extra hard on the knees, and that’s why I’m trying to prepare as good as possible.
“It’s just a day by day operation right now.”
Seeing Standhardinger work drew praise from San Miguel head coach Leo Austria.
“Yeah, most probably dahil ang next game namin is after the World Cup ng 3×3. We’re able to ask him not to play because he’s preparing for the 3×3, and we don’t want him to play na may injuries. That’s why we opted not to let him play,” said the decorated tactician.
“That is for his own good and for the good of the country, dahil ang commitment niya, ay talagang ayaw niyang baliin eh. I think that kind of attitude for a player is really something for our national team.”
