Jun 22, 2019

Stanley Pringle makes Ginebra debut vs. NLEX

NLEX becomes the first team to test a rejigged Barangay Ginebra as the two teams clash in a PBA Commissioner's Cup doubleheader on the road on Sunday.

The Road Warriors will have their hands full against the Kings, who unveil new acquisition Stanley Pringle in the 6:45 p.m. main match at the Batangas City Coliseum.

The 32-year-old Pringle came on board following a blockbuster trade with NorthPort this week in a deal that had the league's most popular ballclub giving up veterans Sol Mercado and Jervy Cruz, along with young gun Kevin Ferrer to acquire the services of last year's scoring champion.

This will only be the second game of Pringle this conference after undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs on his foot during the off-season.

After missing the Batang Pier's first two games, the shifty Fil-Am guard suited up and scored 22 points in the team's 110-86 win over TnT Katropa, only to aggravate the newly-operated foot and sat out NorthPort's next four matches.

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A healthy Pringle however, is expected to show up in his outing with the Kings, albeit on a limited minutes.

Already a potent squad before, Barangay Ginebra has just gotten even better with Pringle around, said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.

"It's an out-of-town game and we have to prepare hard especially as Stanley (Pringle) is already playing for them as I understand," said the Gilas Pilipinas mentor.

The Road Warriors finally made it to the win column after defeating Meralco, 100-91, on Wednesday night, ending a skid that saw them lose their first six games of the tournament.

At 1-6, NLEX needs to sweep its remaining games - including against Barangay Ginebra - to have a shot of making the playoffs.

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For Guiao though the focus right now is against the Kings.

"We're focused on our next game. We're not thinking of anything else," he said.

If ever, the rousing victory over the Bolts could be a good starting point for the Road Warriors to have a crack at the tough task at hand.

"Kahit papaano, it's something positive to pin our hopes on. Siguro it could also be an encouragement for us to keep on playing as hard as we can.
Baka mag milagro pa," said Guiao. (GR)