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MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-American Stanley Pringle, the expected first overall pick in the 2014 PBA Rookie Draft, has the potential to become a leader once he makes his official entry into the professional ranks, according to his former coach Todd Purves.
“Wherever Stan goes, wherever he ends up in his career, I know he’s a leader and he’s got a wonderful work ethic,” said Purves on Tuesday, August 19 as Day 2 of the rookie draft combine wrapped up at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.
Purves, currently an active consultant for the San Miguel Beermen, coached Pringle when he was still with the Indonesia Warriors in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) back in 2012. Pringle led the Warriors then to a championship with averages of 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists.
Pringle’s exceptional performance in the ABL, along with the depth of experience he acquired from his exposure in different leagues around the globe, made his draft stock soar through the roof.
After graduating college in 2009 he immediately had stints in the Basketball League Belgium, in Poland and in Ukraine, norming double digit points per game.
Purves has faith his former player will find his way to great things no matter where or how far he goes in the PBA.
“He’s a great player and he’s got a wonderful career ahead of him, no doubt,” Purves said. “regardless of where he ends up ultimately, I just think of a number of positive things. Whatever team gets him, gets a player that is really committed and I wish him well.”
But Pringle’s destination is no secret anymore.
He is set to be selected first overall by Globabalport Batang Pier at this year’s draft to be held on August 24 at the Midtown Atrium in Robinson’s Place Manila. Globalport team manager BJ Manalo assured they will be using their first pick on the 27-year old Virginia Beach native.
“Hindi na siguro pag-iisipan. Decided na rin kami at excited at the same time for Stanley Pringle,” Manalo said. (There’s no question about it. We have already decided and we are excited at the same time for Stanley Pringle.)
And as Purves predicted, Pringle will be shaped to be the leader of Globalport over time.
“We’re looking at a potential leader of our team,” Manalo said of Pringle. “Ngayon we’re looking at him and mag-iiba din team namin. Yung combination na yung tinitignan natin, kung paano magwo-work. But we’re excited.”
(Now we’re looking at him and our team will change. We’re looking at the combination and how it could work.)
Pringle is a product of Penn State University, where he played for two years from 2007 to 2009.
In his first game for Penn State, he immediately displayed his lightning quick hands and pesky defensive tendencies as he tied a Bryce Jordan Center and school record with his 7 steals. He was also awarded the 2007 Suncoast Conference Player-of-the-Year Award.
And during his junior year playing for the university, Pringle started in 12 of his 31 games, and came up with 7 double-digit scoring games as well. He also shot 40.9% from beyond the arc – a team-best performance at the time.
When Globalport makes it official on Sunday, the 6-foot-1 guard will be joining Alex Cabagnot, Terrence Romeo and Jay Washington in a bid to begin fostering a winning tradition for a young Batang Pier team.
Globalport ended up dead last in the last two conferences of the previous PBA season. And with the drafting of Pringle, they are looking to build around one of, if not the best, talent in this year’s draft pool.
The Batang Pier also holds the 17th and 19th picks which Manalo says they will use to select complementary players.
“(We’re) looking for the right role players that will fill in our roster. We’re not expecting impact players,” he explained, adding that they are eyeing a small forward.
“We’re looking at players who will fall in with our veterans and hindi maghahanap ng bola (won’t be looking for the ball to score). (Those) who will do the dirty work.”
As for Pringle – who was closely watched as he posted 4 points, 6 rebounds, an assist and a steal in 11 minutes during the scrimmage – he is simply thankful for the top pick. He sees Globalport as a “great organization.”
“It’s a blessing just to be considered the top pick. So I’m just going to be grateful and take in the moment. If I’m the top pick then I’ll be real thankful.
Pringle also did well in the draft tests as he finished first in the 3/4 court sprint, and second and third in the maximum and standing vertical leap tests, respectively.
“(I’ll be) another player that’s just going to play hard each and every day,” he shares what he feels he could bring to the table. “Practice hard not just in the game, be a leader and be a team player.”
Meanwhile, other top prospects in the draft also showcased their talents and abilities during the second and last day of the combine, including Matt Ganuelas Rosser, Anthony and David Semerad, Jake Pascual and Ronald Pascual.
Below is a list of the top performers from Day 2 of the combine:
Standing vertical leap:
Matt Ganuelas Rosser – 36.18 in.
Allan Tria – 34.29 in.
Stanley Pringle – 33.87 in.
Kenneth Ighalo – 33.81 in.
Paolo Orbeta – 32.68 in.
George Sicat – 32.2 in.
Paolo Taha – 31.9 in.
Philip Paredes – 31.85 in.
Nard Pinto – 30.86 in.
Maximum vertical leap:
Matt Ganuelas Rosser – 68 in.
Stanley Pringle – 65.2 in.
Cody Tesoro – 63.5 in.
Paolo Orbeta – 63.13 in.
Maclean Sabellina – 62.4 in.
Kenneth Ighalo – 62.2 in.
Kyle Pascual – 62 in.
George Sicat – 61.7 in.
Philip Paredes – 61 in.
Earnest Reyes – 60.5 in.
Jeff Viernes – 60.5 in.
Lane agility drill:
Quinton Heruela – 8.57 sec.
Matt Ganuelas Rosser – 8.75 sec.
Cody Tesoro – 8.89 sec.
Jeff Viernes – 8.91 sec.
Richard Cole – 9.02 sec.
Daryle Tan – 9.04 sec.
Nard Pinto – 9.12 sec.
Mark Romero – 9.13 sec.
King Importante – 9.17 sec.
Paolo Taha – 9.19 sec.
Victor Umali – 9.42 sec.
Shuttle run:
Juami Tiongson – 17.2 sec.
Cody Tesoro – 17.21 sec.
George Sicat – 17.25 sec.
Paolo Taha – 17.3 sec.
Nard Pinto – 17.33 sec.
Philip Morrison – 17.48 sec.
Jess Villahermosa – 17.52 sec.
Matt Ganuelas Rosser – 17.55 sec.
Kenneth Ighalo– 17.61 sec.
King Importante – 17.68 sec.
3/4 court sprint:
Stanley Pringle – 3.06 sec.
Quinton Heruela – 3.09 sec.
King Importante – 3.13 sec.
Cody Tesoro – 3.16 sec.
Matt Ganuelas Rosser – 3.17 sec.
Gryann Mendoza – 3.18 sec.
Paolo Orbeta – 3.19 sec.
Paolo Taha – 3.20 sec.
Philip Morrison – 3.21 sec.
George Sicat – 3.22 sec.
– Rappler.com
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