It wasn’t planned, yet opportunity led to the reunion of veteran guard Stanley Pringle and Yeng Guiao.
On Tuesday, the veteran bench tactician of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters confirmed to Pinoystep.com that they’ve reached an agreement with Pringle, which will make him an integral part by bringing his rich experience to the young, up and coming team that has cracked the semifinals in four straight conferences.
“We never got in touch right after that 2018 Asian Games experience, but that was a tight team composed of Pringle, Christian Standhardinger, NBA star Jordan Clarkson, Asi Taulava and the Rain or Shine team, but since then, balik na kami ulit sa dating roles as magkalaban,” said Guiao in a telephone interview.
Looking back, Guiao wasn’t even a part of the Elasto Painters as he left the squad right after the 2016 season and assumed a much bigger role as general manager and head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors.
But his close attachment to Rain or Shine management headed by Raymond Yu and Terry Que convinced Guiao to return and coach the national squad that was put together at the last minute and rejoin forces with his old bosses and friends — for a bigger and more significant purpose.
Back then, our Gilas Pilipinas team was supposed to play in the Asiad, but following suspension to key members of the team, coaches and majority of the players, we were left with just some holdovers in the squad.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas mulled the possibilities of not sending a men’s basketball team to the Asian Games in Jakarta, but they ddidn’t want to disappoint the hoop-loving Pinoys who are based in Indonesia, hence the formation of this Rain or Shine-backed quintet.
Fast forward 2025: Pringle became an unrestricted free agent and the Elasto Painters expressed interest.
“We were approached by the agent if interesado kami, siyempre we said yes,” added Guiao. “That opened the door for our negotiations and one thing led to another, making him a part of our team. Ito yung sinasabi naming paminsan-minsan sumusundot rin kami because we know, maliit lang tyansa naming makakuha ng quality player sa free agent market.”
Pringle, according to Guiao, will provide the veteran calming presence, which the Elasto Painters badly needed for them to get over the semifinals hump. While the team’s vision is anchored on its young crew and let them mature together as one solid unit, having a seasoned, talented guard could fill in that important missing piece to propel the squad in going all the way.
“Partly, isa rin sa mga reasons yun,” added Guiao on the rationale of acquiring Pringle. “Ang sabi ko nga sa interview, kung andyan lang sana si Beau (Belga) nung semis, baka nag-iba pa yung timpla ng laro. There was one game na hindi kami dapat nagpunta sa overtime and we could have sent the series to a Game 7, baka nag-iba pa yung timpla ng series.”
Belga was sidelined after experiencing vertigo, forcing him to miss the majority of the Philippine Cup. The Elasto Painters also missed another dependable guard, Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti, who suffered a fractured hand.
With Pringle on board, Guiao knows he has someone who can take charge when push comes to shove.
Having someone as talented as Pringle somehow gave Guiao an opportunity that he missed several years ago when he was coaching the Road Warriors when they were targeting Mikey Williams to become the top overall pick, but unfortunately, that No.1 selection was dealt to sister team, TNT.
“In a way, may similarities rin naman si Mikey and Stanley, perhaps not with the style of play, but how they command the team,” said Guiao. “Stanley, just like Mikey, can take charge in crucial situations, but Stanley is not just a scorer, but he also makes everybody around him look good and I’ve experienced that personally when I was coaching him in the Asian Games.”
“With our current structure now at Rain or Shine, I believe Stanley can become an integral part of where we want to go next. Kahit naman sabihin mong may edad na si Stanley, may asim pa rin ito.”
