CHRISTIAN Standhardinger has decided to no longer play for Terrafirma in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup.
Even more, he has decided to walk away too, from the game.
Terrafirma team governor Bobby Rosales revealed Standhardinger's decision to retire from playing and forego the remaining months of his contract with the Dyip.
"He notified us that he is planning to retire already," Rosales disclosed to SPIN.ph.
"Magre-retire na lang daw siya. We talked to him, pero mahirap kapag ayaw nang maglaro. Anong gagawin natin? Kahit na anong pilit mo, kung ayaw nang maglaro, e," added the former PBA board vice chairman, who nonetheless respected the decision of the 35-year-old Fil-German.
READ All's not well between Standhardinger and Terrafirma
The former Gilas player was listed on the team's injured/ reserve list and was not around when the Dyip kicked off their campaign in the Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday where they absorbed a 116-87 beating from Converge FiberXers.
When asked about the condition and situation of their prized big man, new head coach Raymund Tiongco had a cryptic reply.
"No comment. Alam ninyo na yun," Tiongco said, while replying to another question that Standhardinger has not been practicing with the Dyip.
According to Rosales, Standhardinger's contract is expiring at the end of the year, and the team tried to talk to him about just finishing the deal, but to no avail.
"Yun naman ang gusto namin, maglaro muna siya and tapusin yung contract," said the Terrafirma executive.
Acquired in a blockbuster trade with Barangay Ginebra that also involved Stanley Pringle, Stephen Holt, Isaac Go, and a swap of the Dyip's Nos. 3 (RJ Abarrientos) and Ginebra's No. 10 (Mark Nonoy) picks in the last draft, Standhardinger played six games for the franchise during the Governors' Cup before being totally shut down for the rest of the conference due to what the team said was a hyper-extended knee.
He averaged a team-best 16.3 points and 8.6 rebounds during that short stint.
But when Terrafirma began to start practicing last Oct. 14 for the second conference, C-Stan no longer showed up in training camp.
"He's not reported for practices, so we wrote him a letter asking about his whereabouts," said Rosales.
Standhardinger initially replied to team manager Ronald Tubid, and later on, met personally with Rosales.
"I talked to him personally because I wanted really to know what his plans were," he said, "And I just reminded him also that he has a live contract."
It was during that meeting where Standhardinger bared his intention to retire.
"Sayang talaga, pero magre-retire na lang daw siya. E, wala na akong magagawa doon kung gusto niyang mag-retire," said Rosales.
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Nonetheless, Terrafirma management has informed the Commissioner's Office about the situation of Standhardinger with the franchise.
"I think that's the proper thing to do because he has a UPC (Unified Players' Contract) and some responsibilities also to fulfill," said Rosales.
"So we leave it all up to the commissioner kung ano ang take niya diyan."
Rosales said he's not aware if Standhardinger is still in the country or has already left overseas.
"The last time I talked to him, he was still here. I don't know now. I'm not sure now," added the Terrafirma governor.
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