STANLEY Pringle looks to help Rain or Shine get over the hump after joining the team for the 50th season of the PBA as an unrestricted free agent.
After spending one season with lowly Terrafirma, the 38-year-old Pringle is back with a contender in Rain or Shine, semifinalists in all three conferences last season but falling short of the finals each time.
Pringle is used to winning, having captured four PBA championships during his time with Barangay Ginebra, and was a one-time Best Player of the Conference during the 2020 Philippine Cup bubble.
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“Definitely, a great group of guys, young guys led by coach Yeng [Guiao]. I’m looking to come in and help the team as much as I can, help wherever I can fit in especially in the playoffs because they’ve been in the semifinals three times in the past three conferences. I’m just looking to step in and do what I can do to try help the team win,” said Pringle on Tuesday following Rain or Shine’s tune-up game against NLEX.
Pringle signed with Rain or Shine in July but only joined the team this week, so he's still looking to blend in.
Guiao said Pringle is still in the process of grasping the system. The team is also managing his load in the preseason with his history of injuries in past years.
“He’s been practicing with us for three days but he is participating in at least two of our scrimmages. We are managing his minutes. He is still not 100 percent of course. Parang ginagamay at ina-absorb pa lang niya ‘yung sistema namin,” said Guiao, who coached Pringle in the Gilas Pilipinas to the 2018 Asian Games.
Pringle showed glimpses of his explosive offense during his stint with Terrafirma last season with an average of 13.0 points, while also chipping in 4.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He now joins a Rain or Shine squad that has a deep guard rotation led by Adrian Nocum.
The Rain or Shine veteran said it's too early to tell what his specific role will be in the team, but what is sure of is that he will assist the team the best he can. He also looks forward to getting to know his teammates more and fitting in.
“That depends on how we gel as a team. Me, I just got here last week. As far as my role right now, it’s about team chemistry. We are going to have a team building and got to find chemistry there. There is going to be steps first before you could just come and say, ‘This is my role in the team.’ I’ve got to gel with the guys, got to practice more than a couple of days,” said Pringle.
“They’ve been contending for championships the past three conferences. They’ve been in the semis. Getting to the semis is a challenge alone. I’m looking to hopefully help them out even more,” said Pringle.
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