After showing character in an amazing semifinal run in the PBA Governors' Cup, NorthPort stalwart Christian Standhardinger said it's sky's the limit for the promising Batang Pier squad moving forward.
"We can be a great team because we're all humble; there are no egos and we're just trying to figure out how to win," the Fil-German big man said after NorthPort's breakout journey ended in a 1-3 loss to full-strength Barangay Ginebra.
"That (semis stint) was a huge step in the right direction of a creating a winning culture (for the team). Nobody sees it because we got beat but I see it, we see it, the coaches see it, and we're just gonna keep on building on that," he added.
Standhardinger, who joined the Batang Pier after getting shipped by San Miguel middle of the Govs' Cup, swells with pride for his gutsy teammates, who fought their way out of four do-or-die matches to make the Last-4.
They Batang Pier overcame NLEX and Ginebra in the elims stretch to salvage eighth seed in the quarters then toppled No. 1 Road Warriors, 115-90, and 126-123 in triple overtime, to land a semis gig with the Gin Kings.
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Despite injuries to Robert Bolick, Sol Mercado, Kevin Ferrer and Bradwyn Guinto, the Pido Jarencio-coached Batang Pier gave Ginebra a heck of a fight, delivering a message with a 124-90 rout in Game 1.
However, the Gin Kings' depth and firepower were just to much to overcome for short-handed NorthPort, which eventually surrendered three straight games (88-113, 105-132 and 107-120) to bomb out.
"Amazing, I really have to say. We survived four knockout games, missing Bolick. we're actually missing four players against team like Ginebra and somehow. I mean we gave it our all, I'm happy, Well, I hate losing obviously. it comes with a bad taste, but I know my guys, we let it all out.
"It's a huge accomplishment here (being) one of the best four teams in this conference. It's really impressive," said Standhardinger, who won two titles with the Beermen prior to his transfer to NorthPort.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone, relieved that they didn't have to go through a decider, attested to NorthPort's vast potential.
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"This team (NorthPort) was in a twice-to-win situation (in the quarterfinals) and they showed great character to beat NLEX, dominated them in the first game then coming back to win in triple overtime. We know they have the character in them to play us," said Cone, who admitted that Bolick (out on ACL), Mercado (ankle) and Ferrer (toe) would have make an impact in the series had they been healthy.
"We wore them down with our depth throughout the series," said Cone.
Standhardinger can't wait to work again with Sean Anthony and the rest of the Batang Pier in his first full season with them.
"I'm ready, I'm already watching film, i'm gonna take like maybe a week off taking care of my body maybe two weeks active recovery and then I'm gonna go in there with my guys, we're gonna watch film, and we're gonna know exactly how we improve things," he said. (OL)
