MANILA – Christian Standhardinger is not heading elsewhere. He agreed to a contract extension with the defending PBA Governors’ Cup champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.
The 32-year-old Filipino-German center is signing a fresh three-year contract with the Kings dispelling rumors that he is heading to Japan B.League after the 2021-2022 PBA Season.
Standhardinger had decent numbers in his second conference with the team. He averaged 14.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in four games in the 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup.
Kings head coach Tim Cone, in an interview with Spin.ph, admitted that he still has no knowledge that Standhardinger has reached an agreement with the Kings but is hopeful that it is true.
“I heard from management that they’re negotiating for a three-year deal, but I don’t know the details,” said Cone. “I don’t even know if he has actually signed it yet, but I certainly hope he did.”
Cone added: “He’s really a unique player. He could battle these big guys and not be afraid of them. He’s a unique talent for our league in terms of the defensive and rebounding.”
Meanwhile, the Kings is also looking to add center Maurice Shaw after recently reaching a buyout agreement with his former team NLEX Road Warriors.
The 6-foot-9 Shaw was put on the Road Warriors’ reserve list since acquiring him from Blackwater Bossing in a three-team trade before the start of the 2021-2022 PBA Season.
Despite his height, the 36-year-old Shaw failed to live up to expectations in his rookie season with the Bossing in 2020 where he was saddled with various injuries.
Shaw will reportedly be placed first on Gin Kings’ 3-on-3 squad before eventually elevating him to the 5-of-5 team as backup to Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar./PN
