MANILA, Philippines – The PBA might have seen the last of Christian Standhardinger.
Standhardinger, according to Terrafirma team governor Bobby Rosales, plans to hang up his spurs as the star big man missed the start of the Dyip’s campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup.
The development was first reported by Spin.ph’s Gerry Ramos.
“Christian has informed us he wants to retire. We reminded him of his live contract set to expire yet by yearend,” Rosales said through a message exchange on Thursday, November 28.
“He is fully aware of that. We have informed the Office of the Commissioner about the matter.”
Standhardinger played just six games for Terrafirma following his surprise trade from Barangay Ginebra at the end of last season.
A two-time Best Player of the Conference, the 6-foot-9 Standhardinger helped the Gin Kings to a pair of semifinal appearances last season and even contended for the MVP award, putting up 19.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5 assists.
But in a shock move, Ginebra dealt Standhardinger together with Stanley Pringle to the Dyip in exchange for Stephen Holt and Isaac Go.
Standhardinger averaged 16.3 points, 8.7 assists, and 3.2 assists in the season-opening Governors’ Cup before he sustained a left knee injury in a blowout loss to NorthPort in September.
He has not suited up for Terrafirma since, and according to interim head coach Raymond Tiongco, the Filipino-German bruiser no longer attends team practices.
“C-Stan, no comment. You already know it,” Tiongco said in a mix of Filipino and English after the Dyip opened their Commissioner’s Cup bid with a 116-87 loss to Converge on Wednesday, November 27.
Drafted first overall by San Miguel in 2017, Standhardinger won two championships with the Beermen before the team traded him to NorthPort in 2019.
After more than a year with the Batang Pier, the 35-year-old got shipped again as he joined the Gin Kings in 2021, helping the crowd darlings capture a pair of championships with a Finals MVP award to boot.
Standhardinger is also a three-time Mythical First Team member and a two-time All-Defensive Team selectee. – Rappler.com