Focused on defense, Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger surprised by PBA Finals MVP award

PBA PICTURES

BOCAUE – Tabbing the Finals Most Valuable Player Award was the furthest thing from Christian Standhardinger’s mind.

The dynamic forward, after all, focused on intangibles throughout the Commissioner’s Cup championship series.

“I don’t know if you see me. I’m just sitting there on the couch. I started cramping up in the fourth and just enjoying the ride and then I heard my name,” Standhardinger told reporters in the revelries after the 114-99 Game 7 win in the Bay Area in the Philippine The arena is here.

“I told a lot of people. (Andrew) Nicholson was a few, right? So I just focused [him],” he continued. “I wasn’t focused on the offense, so this was a big surprise.”

Standhardinger was adjudged the PBA Press Corps’ best during the best-of-seven streak after averaging 10.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals.

Before a record crowd of 54,589, the 33-year-old Filipino German finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to help the club clinch its 15th PBA title.

“I just have to say: This is for my teammates – the way they pass the ball. I tried to focus on defense in this Final, that’s why I was surprised to get [award]”said Standhardinger, the top pick of the 2017 draft who has now blossomed into a four-time PBA champion.

“I respect everyone who voted for me. I’m just happy that we won the championship, and [this is] an honor,” he continued.

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