CHRISTIAN Standhardinger took a page or two out of Ginebra's defensive playbook as he prepared for stopping Terrence Jones in Game One of the 2019 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals on Sunday.
And the Fil-German forward believes that he did quite a solid job, bodying up the Best Import frontrunner whenever he found himself matched up against the former NBA player.
"I watched a lot of film on how Ginebra guarded him and I just tried to do the same thing," he said, with the scheme paying dividends early.
"I watched a lot of films of Terrence Jones and the series before (the Finals) and I think Ginebra played exquisite defense. I just tried to do a little bit of what they do and I think I did a good job.
Jones, however, was just too good.
He triggered the 18-0 run that turned a 19-17 deficit to a commanding 35-19 first quarter lead as TNT drew first blood, 109-96, over San Miguel, with Jones tallying 41 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks.
Standhardinger, who finished with 10 points and two rebounds in the loss, did admit that he had his faults, including a couple of gambles for a steal that led to a Jones dunk.
"I gambled once or twice and that was my mistake. Obviously, I have to learn not to gamble at all, give him space, and make sure he doesn't penetrate," he said. "I was actually good with that result, I was happy with my defense on him."
Good enough, unfortunately, wasn't enough and San Miguel must devise a way on stopping the ex-Houston Rocket if it wants to level this best-of-seven series come Game Two on Wednesday.
"Coach thought that was not good enough and he changed it, and as a good soldier, I'll do what he says and I'll do it as good as possible. Whatever coach Leo (Austria) decides to do, I will follow and be a good soldier and do my job."
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