MANILA, Philippines – Terrafirma might soon get some assistance in the PBA Governors’ Cup, but head coach Johnedel Cardel is more concerned with addressing his team’s current problems.

in the case of Christian Standhardinger specifically. The 6-9 Fil-German, who was obtained in a preseason deal with Barangay Ginebra, has performed admirably, averaging 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in two games while converting 13 of 24 field goal attempts.

A lot of people have taken notice of Standhardinger’s lack of aggression, which is what made Cardel shake his head.

“I’m talking to him, that the team needs him, he needs to play as expected of him. Management is also talking to him, but let’s see,” related Cardel, admittedly at a loss as to why his game has taken a dip.

“I hope he wakes up, that he needs to work, be aggressive again like when he was at Ginebra,” added Cardel.

If Terrafirma wants to defeat Meralco in their 5pm game, then the number one overall pick in the 2017 Rookie Draft ought to be none other than his aggressive self. duel at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday.

After suffering a crushing 73-93 loss to TNT last Thursday, which reduced them to 1-1 in Group A, the Bolts are keen to get back on track.

Chris Newsome is still questionable due to sprains in his left knee and ankle, thus coach Luigi Trillo, active consultant Nenad Vucinic, and the rest of Meralco may need to find other methods to win without him.

After scoring only 15.5 points and 10 on average last season, import Antonio Hester is also looking to put up a more impressive show for the Dyip. 5 rebounds while only making 13 of 32 field goals.

Expect Meralco to rely more on Bong Quinto, Chris Banchero, Allen Durham, Raymond Almazan, and Aaron Black in the event that Newsome is unable to see action.

With a left foot injury that kept him out of Terrafirma’s first two games, Louie Sangalang is about to make his season debut.

The Bolts have Cliff Hodge, Brandon Bates, Norbert Torres, Kyle Pascual, and Almazan in their front line, so if Standhardinger doesn’t get out of his slump, the 6-4 lefty should be a huge asset up front.

C-Stan

Get to know a little bit more on Christian Standhardinger, AKA C-Stan.

German by birth and upbringing, Standhardinger began his professional life in the 2. Bundesliga Basketball. After that, he relocated to the US to play collegiate hoops with the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and Nebraska Cornhuskers. He returned to Germany after being selected undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft, where he played for Rasta Vechta and won ProA Player of the Year. Later, he represented Hong Kong Eastern in the ASEAN Basketball League.

He was chosen first overall by the San Miguel Beermen in the 2017 PBA draft, and he won the Commissioner’s and Philippine Cups in 2019 with them. After that, he was traded to NorthPort, where he won the 2019 Governors’ Cup as Best Player of the Conference. He was traded to Barangay Ginebra in 2021, where he went on to win the Commissioner’s Cup in both 2022–2023 and 2021–2023, with the latter team earning Finals MVP honors. In the Governors’ Cup of 2023, he took home his second Best Player of the Conference trophy.

From 2017 until 2023, Standhardinger was a member of the Philippine national team.

Greg Slaughter was the trader for Standhardinger on March 5, 2021, to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.[21] On January 5, 2022, Standhardinger inked a three-year contract extension with Barangay Ginebra.

July 13, 2024, Standhardinger was moved to the Terrafirma Dyip in exchange for Stephen Holt, Isaac Go, and a 2023 first-round pick. Also included in the trade were Stanley Pringle and another 2023 first-round pick.