Christian Standhardinger showed off his left-handed shooting skills during Ginebra's 96-81 win against Blackwater in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City on Friday, July 23.
The reason? Standhardinger bared that he is a natural left-hander, recalled coach Tim Cone.
"It's an interesting story. He tells us that he was left-handed when he grew up," explained the Ginebra tactician. "When he was young, his father at that time forced him to play right-handed. So he plays tennis right-handed, he plays golf right-handed. Anything. He writes right-handed
"But he says, he's a natural left-handed and when I arrived at practice, he was already shooting left-handed shots and during our first practice together."
On Friday, Standhardinger did not disappoint and posted a double-double performance of 11 points and 19 rebounds to go with four assists.
He went 50% on the free throw line, shooting five of his 10 shots.
The 63-year-old Cone, however, insisted that Standhardinger cannot suddenly shift his shooting in the field from right-handed to left-handed.
As far as free throw is concerned, the 23-time PBA champion coach has nothing but support for the sudden change.
"We just decided that if that's something where he feels comfortable, let him go," said Cone, adding that Filipino-German big man has been working doubly for that purpose on practice.
"Actually his form, and this is something he'll tell you, his form with his left hand is much better than his right hand," added the two-time Grand Slam-winning mentor.