Christian Standhardinger’s career game went to waste as Ginebra bowed to Meralco in Game Two of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinals on Sunday, May 19.
Christian Standhardinger had a somber expression as he faced reporters outside the Ginebra dugout at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday night, May 19.
Standhardinger has just erupted with a career-high 41 points, helping the Gin Kings in their ascent from a 17-point hole in the third and in keeping the contest close against Meralco in the fourth.
But despite his herculean effort, Ginebra still fell short of its comeback bid in the end.
The Gin Kings thus failed to follow up on their 92-88 opening win and instead absorbed a 91-103 loss to the Bolts in Game 2 of their best-of-seven semifinal clash in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
Christian Standhardinger's career game goes for naught as Meralco levels its race-to-four semis series with Ginebra | Photo (c) RM Chua
The Filipino-German said he was not really thinking about the numbers and was just focusing on playing aggressively.
"You don’t even think about that. Just trying to read where the right decision is... I just have to keep aggressive,” said Standhardinger.
“I'm just trying to do that. So you don’t have to think about any statistic-related stuff.”
Standhardinger dropped 18 points in a telling third quarter for Ginebra that allowed it to turn a 17-point deficit, 43-60, to a one-point lead at the end of the frame, 74-73.
He accounted for more than half of the Gin Kings' 32 point-production in the third as they outscored the Bolts who sputtered with 18 points in the period.
He continued to trade blows with the Meralco quintet in the final quarter, pouring 10 points in a back-and-forth duel, the last of which allowed Ginebra to stay close at 87-88 halfway.
[WATCH: PBA Game Highlights: Meralco spoils Standhardinger's career-high 41 to tie semis]
But Raymond Almazan and Chris Newsome teamed up for the Bolts to hold off Standhardinger and the rest of the Gin Kings as the duo ignited Meralco's 15-4 closing tear.
“Meralco is such a tough team. You've got to give them a lot of respect. They grind it out and they play efficient basketball, which sometimes is not the prettiest, but it's very effective,” said Standhardinger.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone said that Meralco was able to execute its game plan against them: Put the ball in Standhardinger’s hands and shut down everybody else. While Cone appreciated how Standhardinger kept the Gin Kings in the match, he said that it should not be a one-man show.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Reliving the Ginebra-Meralco rivalry, playoff edition]
"Their (Meralco Bolts) game plan was obvious: Put the ball in Christian's hands and make him beat us from the line. He was almost up to the task. He kept us going, kept us in. But they did a good job shutting everybody else down," said Cone.
"We need to get contributions from everybody. We didn't get that tonight," he said.
Coach Tim Cone hopes to get more contribution from the rest of the Ginebra crew. | Photo (c) RM Chua
Maverick Ahanmisi came up with the second-best scoring output for Ginebra at 14, while Stanley Pringle chipped in 13 after leading with 22 in the Gin Kings' Game 1 win.
Rookie Ralph Cu, who had a stellar outing of 18 points built on a 6-for-7 clip from three-point range the last time out, was held to six points as he only converted one of his three attempts from deep.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: 'Pick your poison' in Ginebra's 'deep' rotation, says Game 1 best player Stanley Pringle]
Rookie Ralph Cu is limited to six points after a second-best 18-point showing in Ginebra's Game 1 win. | Photo (c) RM Chua
Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, Sidney Onwubere and LA Tenorio combined for 17 points.
“It's not about only Christian. It's about getting contributions from everybody. We didn't have positive minutes from the other guys,” said Cone.