THERE's a chance Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo will play their first game together at Terrafirma curiously versus their former team where they made marks as PBA scoring champs.
The Dyip and the NorthPort Batang Pier clash at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo, with Terrafirma looking to bounce back from a conference losing debut and their opponents gunning for a second straight win.
Traded from San Miguel Beer along with Vic Manuel, Romeo appeared on the Terrafirma bench in a civvy then joined the team in the post-game huddle after a 116-87 blowout by the Converge FiberXers Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Absent then - and probably gone in the league forever - was Christian Standhardinger who has decided to retire from PBA play, as per Terrafirma governor Bobby Rosales.
"He informed the team of his retirement. His contract will expire year-end and he was informed of his obligations," Rosales was quoted by News5.
Sponsored content:
Minus Standhardinger, Romeo and Manuel, debuting rookie CJ Catapusan, with 13 markers plus six boards, took the cudgels as Terrafirma could only get 10 points and 10 rebounds from import Ryan Richards in 28 minutes of action versus Converge.
Meanwhile, Arvin Tolentino erupted for 29 points and presided over their blistering second-quarter breakaway en route to their 27-point rout of the Road Warriors.
Import Kadeem Jack debuted with 25, Allyn Bulanadi shot 14 and Joshua Munzon chipped in 12.
"We started flat. But the good thing there was our second group stepping up led by Evan Nelle," said assistant coach Renzy Bajar, filling in for coach Bonnie Tan in the post-game presscon.
Helping NorthPort a lot then was its defense on Robert Bolick whom they held to three-points.
Sponsored content:
"Naging malaking factor sa amin na hindi siya (Bolick) na-involved sa scoring," said Bajar.
Focal point of their defense versus Terrafirma should be Pringle - and Romeo if he's ready to make his Dyip debut.
Both are known scorers, gaining honors as league scoring champs during their early days in the PBA with GlobalPort (NorthPort). (SB)
