Veteran quarterback Stanley Pringle has just joined a guard-oriented Rain or Shine team, making the Elasto Painters more stacked ahead in the backcourt of the PBA’s new season.
But for the young, promising guards of Rain or Shine, having a tried and tested player like Pringle joining their rotation is going to be a good problem for them, knowing that each one of them can be ready to step up once given the opportunity.
Andrei Caracut, sophomore guard Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti, Anton Asistio and Adrian Nocum, who had all been sharing the backcourt, are ready to make room for the four-time PBA champion and former Rookie of the Year.
“Of course, si Stanley, veteran,” said Caracut. “Nag-champion na rin siya ng ilang beses sa PBA, so marami siyang experience. For sure, marami kaming matututunan sa kanya. Excited kami na makasama siya at excited kami na malaki yung maitutulong niya sa team.”
Nocum agreed with Asistio’s observation and he looks forward to learn from one of the league’s all-time best guards.
“Beterano, so marami kaming makukuha sa kanya,” added Nocum. “Malaking tulong for sure yung addition ni Stanley.”
Pangilinan-Lemetti immediately saw the potential of this team and in just his rookie season last year, he was able to experience what’s like to play in a team anchored on young players who were tasked to make the right decisions and assume bigger responsibilities.
He sees a brighter future with this team with Pringle on board.
“I think the future is bright for this team,” added Pangilinan-Lemetti. “We need to keep it going to the semis or right there among the top teams. The more we’ll stay together, the more we play together, we can be better. With the addition of Stanley, I think the future is bright.”
Pangilinan-Lemmeti and Asistio don’t see themselves being affected by the minutes following the inclusion of Pringle, but instead, they’re more excited on how the veteran guard can make this team better and take its game to the next level. In four straight conferences, Rain or Shine has always been in the Final Four and there’s nowhere to go but up for coach Yeng Guiao and his troops.
“I think just the qualities that I can bring, shooting the ball, pushing the pace, these are valuable and by doing them, we’re going to have a bunch of talent out there in the guard rotation, but I think we can all mesh together well,” said Pangilinan-Lemetti.
The versatility of the guards, according to Asistio, will definitely give them more opportunities to explore and see how far they can go with Pringle on board.
“Ako naman kasi, puwede akong mag 1 or 2,” said Asistio. “I feel I can be able to play well off Stanley but at the same time, kaming mga ibang guards like Adrian, Andrei, Mamu (Gian Mamuyac), feeling ko makakatulong si Stanley sa amin in terms of making the plays, making the right decisions and of course, maasahan namin siya kapag kailangan nang manalo.”
“Kapag kailangan na mag-take over, at least andyan na si Stanley.”
Even the members of the coaching staff couldn’t wait and see how Pringle’s addition could translate to something more positive for the team and head mentor Yeng Guiao and his lead assistant, Caloy Garcia, who were able to work with Pringle during the 2018 Asian Games, are looking at someone who can make an immediate impact for the Elasto Painters.
“Stanley Pringle will always be useful to any team,” said Guiao. “Even if we’re guard-heavy, we will find ways to give minutes for him so he can make a contribution. He’s also a leader, so our young guys whom he can take under his wings, on and off the court, is going to be a big part of the team with his talent and with his experience.”
“We also need somebody who can lead the team in closing games. Minsan yun ang kulang namin when we get into a winning situation and in the end, we sort of making bad decisions. So a good point guard will be useful in this situation and Stanley fits that bill. Yun ang puwede niyang maitulong.”
According to Guiao, they expect Pringle to join them next month as her wife is about to give birth in the United States.
“I think he’ll be here by the first week of September,” added Guiao. “Hinihintay nya lang manganak yung wife niya and they’ll stay there a couple of weeks after the birth to fix the documents of the baby and they’ll come here and start practicing with us.”
Garcia believes it’s never too late to bring in someone like Pringle in the squad. More than a decade ago, Rain or Shine had an opportunity of securing the services of Pringle thru the lottery draft, but the team lose out in the draw against GlobalPort.
The Pringle of 2014 is definitely different from the latest version, one who’s probably a few steps slower, but remains serviceable.
“Sa amin na dapat yan noon pa,” said Garcia. “We were thinking before na sa amin mapupunta si Stanley. unfortunately, we didn’t win the lottery at that time. Now that he was available, napagusapan namin ni Coach at nung management na he’s available so why not try to get him. We what quality Stanley can bring.”
“Looking at our team right now, yung guards namin mga bata pa. So we need somebody how to close games and teach our young players and share his experience. We’re not looking at Stanley playing 40 minutes a game. We’re looking to use him between 15 to 20 minutes, so it’s basically him coming at the right time. We know how he takes care of his body and nakasama namin siya noon sa Asian Games, so doon pa lang sa Asian Games, we know that he can help us and can fit the system right away and with the players we have right now, I think he can blend perfectly with us.”
