Willie Marcial explains Christian Standhardinger's free agency situation as PBA retirement looms

Christian Standhardinger is planning to retire from the PBA. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—PBA commissioner Willie Marcial clarified that Terrafirma has one month to decide if they want to keep Christian Standhardinger's rights amid his impending PBA retirement.

In a scrum with reporters present at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday night, Marcial said that the six-foot-seven big man can only become an unrestricted free agency if the Dyip decide not to take action on his contract, which will expire on Dec. 31.

"Kailangan mag-offer ang Terrafirma bago matapos yung kontrata sa Dec. 31. Pag nag-offer sila at nakita namin, nasa kanila yung rights. Kung hindi sila mago-offer at natapos na yung kontrata, free agent na [si Christian]," Marcial said.

The executive added that he has been reaching out to Standhardinger, but the burly center has yet to respond.

After seeing action for only six games in the PBA Governors' Cup, Standhardinger was relegated to the Dyip's injured reserve list for the Commissioner's Cup.

However, he was nowhere to be found even in practice as revealed by new head coach Mong Tiongco on Wednesday night after their loss to the Converge FiberXers.

Team governor Bobby Rosales then confirmed that Standhardinger is planning to retire from the PBA at age 35.

Marcial said that Terrafirma can consider legal actions since Standhardinger is not honoring his contract, but with only one month left before it expires, a legal action could also be not a good option. 

Although he was drafted in 2017, Marcial clarified that Standhardinger is not yet eligible to become an unrestricted free agent outright even if he decides to call it a PBA career due to a tweak in the "seven-year rule" as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Ang new rule, kailangan 21 conferences siya maglaro. Ang alam ko, short siya ng dalawa," Marcial said.

This means once Standhardinger decides to unretire and signs a new contract with Terrafirma, he has to play at least two more conferences before he becomes eligible for the PBA's UFA rule.

This also means the Dyip have a leeway to keep his rights with them even if he goes out from the PBA for good.

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