When the San Miguel Beermen and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel were warming up for their Game 5 encounter on Sunday evening, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the board of the Philippine Basketball Association were naming the team that would be sent to the 2018 Asian Games.
And it came as a surprise for Filipino-German Christian Standhardinger that he was part of the team.
“I just found out that I’m going to be part of the national team for the Asian Games. I’m honored and proud to represent the country again,” he tweeted moments before tip-off.
“I can’t wait to play but let’s focus on winning the Finals first.”
Gilas’ practice begins on Monday, August 6, at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City. However, the 6-foot-8 Filipino-German and the Beermen are still in the midst of the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals series. And they are fighting for dear life, as Ginebra are up 3-2.
The 29-year-old is therefore torn over how he can attend San Miguel’s and Gilas’ practice next week. If ever the Beermen win on Wednesday, Game 7 will be on Friday. Gilas, on the other hand, will leave for Indonesia on August 13.
“I don’t really know. I hope that I can still focus on the Finals and join the team. But I don’t know what the deal is and what they wanna do,” admitted a torn Standhardinger, who is averaging 12.08 points and 6.38 rebounds so far.
“So yeah, for me obviously, the first priority is to try to win the finals here. That’s very important for me. That’s very important for San Miguel. And then I can completely focus on hopefully getting some victories in the Asian Games.”
Still, the prospect of representing the country again excites him.
“I’m excited to see what’s the playing style of coach [Yeng Guiao], what system he’s gonna bring to hopefully be successful. I have to see and check who we play against,” shared Standhardinger, who last represented the country during the 2018 FIBA 3X3 World Cup. “I think it’s without Australia and without New Zealand exactly. And the only team to beat is China and South Korea.
“I hope that we can go all out and obviously make the country proud.”
