Chris Standhardinger looks forward to being coached by Yeng Guiao. Dennis Acosta |
By Ivan Saldajeno
QUEZON CITY--Chris Standhardinger cherished the Gilas call-up that he got for the Asian Games later this month.
"I am very proud and very honored to be in the national team again," Standhardinger said on Sunday night, hours after he was named to the national pool that will be the basis of the Gilas squad going to Jakarta for the quadrennial meet.
He is also very ecstatic to be mentored by multi-titled gaffer Yeng Guiao, who is back to national team duties after nine years, and upstart coach Caloy Garcia.
"I’m excited to see the playing style of these coaches--what system he (Guiao) is going to bring to hopefully be successful," Standhardinger continued.
He also expressed willingness to exchange a long break from action at the conclusion of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals for the Three Stars and a Sun.
"I actually tried to use this break to really strengthen my left knee, [but] the country calls and it is not really a choice for me. I want to represent the country and I want to make my fellow Filipinos proud and I hope we can do that," the six-foot-eight forward further said.
Speaking of the finals, Standhardinger said that his mindset right now is on San Miguel's championship series against Ginebra.
"For me, the first priority is to win the finals here and that is important for me and for San Miguel. Then I can completely focus on getting some victories in the Asian Games," quipped Standhardinger, whose Beermen squad is now 2-3 down against the Barangay following a tough loss on Sunday night.
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