IT was a major award that's long in coming for Stanley Pringle.
And so when the prolific Barangay Ginebra guard was finally crowned the Best Player of the Conference in the last PBA Philippine Cup bubble, there was no doubt in LA Tenorio's mind that his backcourt mate truly deserved the honor.
The 36-year-old Tenorio acknowledged how Pringle's health and consistency the entire bubble conference helped the Kings win their first ever all-Filipino crown in the last 13 years.
"Ang tawag ko nga sa kanya, he's our 'Justine Brownlee' in the all-Filipino. He's our import," said the veteran playmaker in the recent episode of The Game over OneSports.
Brownlee of course, is Ginebra's long-time resident import who steered the franchise to four championships in the past, including the 2019 Governors' Cup.
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"He (Pringle) plays like an import. And he works like an import also."
Indeed, Pringle carried most of the load for Ginebra the entire conference, averaging 18.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on his way to winning his first ever BPC title.
Tenorio expressed surprise that it's only now the 33-year-old Fil-Am guard from San Diego, California was able to run away with the highest individual honor given out by the league in a tournament.
"June Mar is June Mar, pero every year kasi contender si (Stanley). I think he's always in the top 3 in the BPC (race)," he said.
There was no denying Pringle of the award this time, especially at how he lifted the Kings during the eliminations at a time Tenorio and big man Japeth Aguilar were still struggling to get into playing form.
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"Basically, Stan brought us in a good position in the playoffs when Japeth and I were not ready yet, not in good shape yet. He basically carried the team," said Tenorio, obviously referring at how the Kings were still able to finish as the no. 1 seed heading into the quarterfinals despite health issues hounding the team.
"Sobrang laking bagay na si Stanley was healthy all the time."
By the time the finals came, Tenorio and Aguilar were already in peak form and joined hands with Pringle in beating TnT Tropang Giga in just five games of the best-of-seven series.
Tenorio beat out Pringle for the PBA Press Corps Finals MVP award, but the veteran guard had nothing but praises for the 2015 Rookie of the Year.
"Stan is something else," he said of Pringle.(RG)
