THERE is an optimism in Terrafirma that Stanley Pringle will be able to restart his engine and go like he did just a few years ago.
The 37-year-old Pringle is now in a new chapter of his career after being moved to the Dyip in a blockbuster trade between Barangay Ginebra where Christian Standhardinger was also involved.
And the former two-time Best Player of the Conference has big expectations for his still-teammate who also won the same award once.
“I think you should not forget about Stanley,” said Standhardinger. “He is All-Star-caliber, too.”
“I don’t want to put the expectations too high, but Stanley is looking great within this new system. And I’m excited to see what will happen when he is getting unleashed with us this conference.”
The last time Pringle had double-digit scoring numbers was during the 2021 Philippine Cup where he averaged 17.2 points and started in all 13 games for the Gin Kings.
He has started in just 24 percent of his games since then, with his minutes managed due to his knee problems.
But it appears like Pringle is on the verge of getting more playing time based on how he is performing in practice.
Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel shared the same optimism about Pringle, whom he knows quite a bit as they were once together when they were still part of the GlobalPort franchise.
Right after the mega-trade, Pringle himself expressed his excitement about playing for Cardel.
“He texted me, ‘Coach, I’m ready to start practice. I’m ready to get a win again, I promise you,’” said Cardel, recounting his conversation with Pringle.
“Gusto niya maglaro nang maglaro. With his age, parang hindi ganun ang edad niya. Magaling pa rin talaga. At least, we have an isolation (player) with Juami [Tiongson] and they can create.”
Stan the man to do heavy lifting anew
While he understands the managed minutes with Ginebra due to his injuries, Pringle is looking forward to playing for Terrafirma and is open to getting more court time to help the Dyip win games.
“With my minutes (with Ginebra), I think the coaching staff was only looking after me, making sure that I don’t re-injure myself. And I appreciate that,” said Pringle.
“With coach John, it’s been the same way. Ever since I came to practice, they said, ‘Hey man, take a rest, take a rest.’ I’m like, ‘No, I want to play.’ Let me just play, get my rhythm going, especially getting the chemistry with the new guys.”
This is even truer now that his health is way better compared to recent years.
As he put it, “My knees are fine, and I’m ready to play like I’ve always been playing and see how far it takes me.”
At the same time, Pringle was glad to share that Terrafirma's chemistry has been building slowly but surely - and he is confident that the Dyip can put together a decent conference with their preparations.
“I’ve been working with them, seeing how we can guide them on offense and defense. We already got to see how our chemistry fit in with me, and Christian, Juami… A lot more to learn,” Pringle said.
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