By Jerome Lagunzad
GlobalPort star Stanley Pringle finally gets the chance to don the country’s tricolors as he leads the country’s title bid in the 2018 FIBA 3×3 World Cup from June 8 to 12 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The lightning-quick 6-foot-1 Fil-Am guard should be raring to display his offensive prowess in the world stage where he will team up with Gilas Pilipinas mainstays Troy Rosario and RR Pogoy of TNT plus top rookie pick Christian Standhardinger of San Miguel Beer, with former pro Ronnie Magsanoc calling the shots.
“We are very proud and honored at the same time that the SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) selected Stanley as one of our representatives to the FIBA 3×3 World Cup,” said Batang Pier team governor Erick Arejola.
“Stanley has proven that he is clearly one of the PBA’s finest guards today. But this time, he has a golden chance to show his true worth infront of a global audience. We, at GlobalPort, are confident that he will make us Filipinos proud.”
In the 20-nation tournament, the country is bracketed Group C with Russia, Brazil, Canada and Mongolia.
Meanwhile, Afril Bernardino, Jack Danielle Animam, Janine Pontejos and Gemma Miranda will lead the country’s title hunt in the distaff side where they are pooled with Netherlands, Germany, Hungary and Spain in Group D.
Much of the spotlight, however, will be on the men’s play, with Pringle, 31, a former top rookie selection in 2014, expected to showcase his playmaking ability and dribbling wizardry.
With the departure of backcourt partner Terrence Romeo to TNT Katropa, the former Penn State standout has thrived in a bigger role underscored by his all-around averages of 15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the Batang Pier’s 1-1 start in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
