A BARANGAY Ginebra legend who knows a thing or two about PBA physicality in the 1990s is playing down the Gin Kings’, particularly Christian Standhardinger’s brand of physical play in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
A fan on SPIN Zoom In asked Bal David about his reaction to Bay Area import Andrew Nicholson’s comment about having to “learn how to play rugby” to adapt to Standhardinger’s defense.
Bal David on Christian Standhardinger physicality
David admitted Standhardinger can play physical, but all within the rules, which Dragons coach Brian Goorjian tried to clarify after being surprised in Game One to see body checks allowed.
“Talagang physical si C-Stan eh,” David said. “Talagang nasa mukha mo and he sacrifices his body.”
“He wants to win,” the former Ginebra playmaker added of the 6-foot-8 Filipino-German big man.
David, a two-time PBA champion and 1996 Mythical second team member, refused to label Standhardinger and the rest of Ginebra’s defense as “dirty.”
“Hindi naman (dirty). Normal. Lalo finals yan eh, ‘di ba?” David said. “Hindi mo masabing dirty. Ang dirty naman kasi: elbow, ‘di ba? Mga above the neck.”
“Pero yung sina-sacrifice mo yung body and everything, hindi mo masabing dirty yun. Aggressive lang,” the current University of Santo Tomas coach added.
Reminded about his mentor Sonny Jaworski’s famous “Kung ayaw mo masaktan, mag-chess ka na lang” quote, David agreed it was a timely reminder for the protagonists in the ongoing finals of the midseason tournament.
“Words of wisdom,” David ended with a chuckle ahead of Game Three on Wednesday at the MOA Arena.
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