Barely 24 hours after the San Miguel Beermen had lost their PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown, Christian Standhardinger immediately joined Gilas Pilipinas’ practice on Thursday night at the Meralco Gym in Ortigas, Pasig City.
This marks the very first time that the 6-foot-8 Filipino-German has joined the Nationals in their preparations for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang in Indonesia, which will raise its curtains next week.
Also in attendance was Blackwater Elite center Poy Erram, who had not been able to attend Gilas’ previous practices due to back issues. But even with that, the former Ateneo Blue Eagle is already a shoo-in to the Final 12.
The two joined the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ core of Beau Belga, Raymond Almazan, Gabe Norwood, Maverick Ahanmisi, Chris Tiu, and James Yap; and Paul Lee, Stanley Pringle, Don Trollano, and Asi Taulava in the session.
Only one-half of the Gilas Cadets duo – Ricci Rivero – showed up and took part in practice, as Kobe Paras was nowhere in the facility.
