CHICAGO - Spotty decision-making, shaky free throw shooting and a slew of imprudent shot selections doomed Rain or Shine during its 4-2 semifinals series loss earlier this month to PBA Philippine Cup finalist TNT Tropang 5G.
As their young rising stars led by Adrian Nocum continue to learn to navigate the growing pains of late-game pressure cooker scenarios, the Elasto Painters addressed those concerns.
READ Better late than never: ROS almost drafted Pringle back in 2014
"We could use his veteran smarts and experience," coach Yeng Guiao told me via text message when asked about the significance of Rain or Shine's acquisition of unrestricted free agent Stanley Pringle.
Nearing the sunset of his career at age 38, Pringle proved to be still extremely serviceable by averaging 13.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 11 games with Terrafirma this conference.
Pringle shot 37.2 percent from 3 and 80 percent from the free throw line during the Philippine Cup.
COOL AS A CUCUMBER.
Comfortable under duress as fish is to water, the four-time PBA champion and many-time All-Star will play the 1 and 2 spots for Rain or Shine where he is expected to assimilate with the team smoothly.
"We had time together with Gilas during the 2018 Asian Games and had good chemistry with him," Guiao revealed,
With his stout credentials and big-game moxie, Pringle could have commanded a bigger pay with the rich teams, but the 6-foot-1, 185-lb. guard is at a point in his hoops journey where career decisions are no longer primarily financially motivated.
Happiness and an opportunity to play for a Hall-of-Fame caliber coach who guided an independent team to a magical title run in 2016 appeared to be the hook that snared Pringle.
PEACHY DEAL.
Sworn to the tenet that PBA contracts must be guarded like national secrets, Guiao politely declined to discuss Pringle's contract.
But we learned on Tuesday night that the No.1 overall pick of the 2014 draft and 2015 PBA Rookie of the Year didn't come cheap.
Per multiple sources, Pringle's guaranteed two-year deal is worth the maximum of P420,000 a month, which means he'll collect P10.8 million or roughly $180,000 in the course of the contract.
The deal isn't inclusive of free accommodations, I am told, but the perks and bonuses are said to be exceedingly generous.
Pringle is represented by sports agent Ben Pensack, who owns Pensack Sports Management Group with his brother Adam. The Henderson, Nevada-based outfit has an impressive client list that include former L.A. Lakers players Kendrick Nunn and Christian Wood.
Pringle and PSMG are tight as BFFs, a relationship that started way back in 2009 when Stanley commenced his professional career with the Leuven Bears of the Belgian league.
Rain or Shine assistant coach Mike Buendia dealt with Pensack to iron out the Pringle deal.
Obviously, it's a prized catch worth painting the franchise red.
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