MANILA, Philippines – In the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, Christian Standhardinger led Barangay Ginebra to a crucial Game 5 victory over Meralco, displaying his typical brilliance.
The Gin Kings defeated the opposition 89-84 on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena thanks to a strong showing by Standhardinger, who completed that with a game-high 34 points as well as 10 rebounds.

For Standhardinger, however, the key to Ginebra’s triumph was teamwork.

The 34-year-old Standhardinger responded, “It has something to do with achieving success,” when questioned about his recent performance.

“We were losing, so it didn’t matter whether I scored 41 in that one game. I’m aware that there would be tales and narratives surrounding it, but I would be unable to engage my teammates. I’m getting older and, at this stage of my career, winning is the only thing that counts. Nothing more than winning in the postseason,” he continued.

In Game 2, although losing, Standhardinger scored a career-high 41 points.

Standhardinger was the focal point of attention on Sunday as well, but the Gin Kings prevailed.

And to Standhardinger’s glee, practically every Ginebra player rose to the occasion as the Gin Kings displayed their style of selfless basketball.

“This seems to be Ginebra basketball—everyone trying to improve themselves and each other.” “I don’t think we have a single selfish player on the team, which is obviously beneficial,” stated Standhardinger, who led the Gin Kings with five assists out of a possible 20.

Ginebra’s Meralco duo key will be limited in Game 6

The Gin Kings must restrict Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge of the Bolts if Ginebra hopes to defeat Meralco in Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

Christian Standhardinger, the big man for the Gin Kings, believes that limiting the influence of Newsome and Hodge will be crucial to Ginebra’s success on Wednesday.

It will be difficult. As Ginebra rallied with an 89 to 84 victory in the final match last Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena, Standhardinger remarked, “I always assert that Newsome from the team and Cliff, the ones guys are winners.”
“They are people I greatly admire. As someone who has played against Cliff on numerous occasions and alongside Newsome on the national team, I am aware of his impact on the outcome. We must attempt to match their determination as closely as possible because those men are unquestionably successful, and every member of their squad is rooting for them.

For a combined 31 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists in Game 5, Newsome as well as Hodge were effective. But Newsome had a terrible shooting night for Meralco, squandering 14 among his 19 field goal attempts as Meralco gave up a 15-point lead.

The strength they possess is that. The appropriate plays and passes will be made by them if you attempt to stop them. Standhardinger, who finished with a game-high 34 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, stated, “If you get to the standard of playing basketball we’re playing, it’s all about affecting winning.”
Cliff and Newsome present a challenge since they will find a method to undermine your chances of victory even if you are ready for them. We must in some way match that with our victories.
Following a three-game deficit in the series, Ginebra secured consecutive victories to go to the PBA Finals, marking their third consecutive participation in the final four conferences.
It will prove to be an incredibly difficult task. Still unfinished business. It matters nothing that we won. We must prevail in this series. The 34-year-old Standhardinger stated, “That is the objective.