Gilas Pilipinas’ frontcourt now has a gaping hole, as Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar will not play in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers’ first window later this February.
The Filipino-German forward asked for more time off to focus on working on his left knee. Meanwhile, the 6-foot-9 Aguilar begged off for his honeymoon, following his recent marriage.
Standhardinger himself announced the development moments after the Nationals’ practice at Moro Lorenzo Gym in Katipunan.
“I came in here today to tell the problem is I have to build up the muscles in my knee to compensate, and then I can go hard, but two weeks is not enough for me to build up those muscles,” he said.
“And then be ready and go all out and just learn the system. It’s just not possible,” added the 30-year-old.
“It’s a risk to get injured, and that risk is very high. That’s the problem.”
Standhardinger has been taking extra care of his body, understandably since he has been playing basketball almost non-stop since he arrived in the Philippines in 2017.
The 6-foot-8 bruiser has been in nearly every Gilas campaign the past years. His most recent one stint was in the 30th Southeast Asian Games last December, where he helped the country snare the gold. One of the reasons behind his withdrawal is his refusal to play for country while not in his best form because of his knee problems.
“You don’t want to play for the national team if you cannot give your best.
“And you don’t wanna play if there are a profound injury and risk of more injuries,” expressed Standhardinger.
Standhardinger, though, affirmed his commitment to the national team. He also added that he will be ready for the second window in November — clearly enough time for him to be back in his usual self.
“What I need to do now — and I told the coaches — is that I’m building up my knee, the muscles. And then I will be ready after this window if there’s a need for me and if they want me.”
