He may be a thousand miles away from where SMART Gilas Pilipinas is as of now, but Filipino-German slotman Christian Standhardinger has never forgotten his love and deep connection with his brothers-at-arm.
The six-foot-seven bruiser was projected to join the Filipino dribblers in the FIBA World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers this November, but a commitment with ASEAN Basketball League’s Hong Kong Eastern stalled hose plans.
Standhardinger was in town last Sunday, but not for national team duties. He suited up for the defending ABL champions Hong Kong Eastern Sports club as they took on the Jimmy Alapag-mentored and Ray Parks, Jr.-led Tanduay Alab Pilipinas.
Hong Kong won over the home team, 92-89, thanks to the back-to-back daggers Standhardinger himself struck right into Tanduay Alab’s heart, silencing the hostile crowd inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
But despite what transpired Sunday, Standhardinger’s love for the country remains the same. He even wished his fellow flag-bearers the best of luck for the FIBA World Cup 2019 Qualifiers.
“Let’s go guys! Let’s go! We need a victory and they’re a great team. To Coach Chot [Reyes], good luck to you. Good luck to the whole team,” said the 28-year-old, who had suited up for Gilas in the Jones Cup, FIBA Asia Cup, and in the SEA Games this year.
And aside from wishing the team the best for the Qualifiers, which will open this November 24 in Japan, Standhardinger vowed that SMART Gilas will have his all-out support, even if he won’t be able to watch the games live.
“I’m excited to watch the game in TV or the Internet. I will catch them,” assured Hong Kong’s ASEAN Heritage import.
“I’m gonna be there eating some popcorn and enjoying the game.”
