CHRISTIAN Standhardinger accepted the blame for Terrafirma’s winless start, but insisted it will take time for the revamped Dyip to reach their full potential in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup.
Although his numbers are solid with his 15.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists averages, Standhardinger said he needs to do more to to overcome a horror start that has seen his new team lose its first five games.
His old team, Barangay Ginebra, lost just four games the entire elimination round of the last PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup.
“Obviously, I have to step it up," said Standhardinger, who along with fellow veteran Stanley Pringle was traded by Ginebra to the Dyip for Stephen Holt, Isaac Go and a draft pick swap after a season that saw him make the mythical team.
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"For example, I need to make some free throws. I need to step up on my leadership position. And that’s something that I can control and I need to get better at that,” added Standhardinger.
“It’s always a bit complicated to adjust to a new team. You don’t want to come in and out of nowhere, change certain things. But management talked to me and the coach talked to me, I need to be more vocal and I need to lead a little bit more and that’s what I’m trying to do."
At the same time, Standhardinger said player absences for reasons ranging from injuries to contract issues as well as an early import change have contributed to their struggles.
Juami Tiongson is out with a partial tear in his hamstring. Kemark Carino is also out, while rookies Mark Nonoy and CJ Catapusan have yet to sign with the team due to their live contracts with the Iloilo Royals in the MPBL.
“With that said, and taking that responsibility, and then it’s totally my fault, we also have to be realistic. Half of our team is missing, one great wing, he went to Korea (Javi Gomez de Liano), we don’t have the same team right now,” said Standhardinger.
“They had a great run against San Miguel last conference. We are missing Javi and we didn’t get nothing for it. We have five different people out. Juami is out, our big is missing, then two people from the MPBL, they couldn’t get a release.
"Then, we have to change our import within one day of the first game. With me taking responsibility, we also need to be realistic and know that we are missing half of our team,” he added.
Standhardinger said patience will be needed for the Terrafirma team to turn this campaign around.
“Obviously, in a competitive league like the PBA, it’s hard to win when it comes together in such a way. It was a perfect storm almost. But we need to move on and figure out how we can still get some wins and just overcome that," he said.
“It’s little steps by little steps, getting better, and it will be a long-term project. We just can’t expect to come to the games and start winning games. We’ve got to build it up, work hard in practice, listen to the coaches and management."
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