Pringle makes Ginebra debut with victory over NLEX

“Final: 100 – 85 in favor of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel! Best Player: Justin Brownlee with 37 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists #PBACommsCup #PBALabanKungLaban” (Photo: PBA/Facebook)

It was a celebration for Stanley Pringle and his new teammates last Sunday, June 24 as the Ginebra Kings dominated the NLEX Road Warriors, 100-85, for another 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup out-of-town match at the Batangas City Coliseum.

Justin Brownlee was the major contributor in improving his team’s standing, now at four wins and three losses, totalling 37 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and five steals. Recently being traded from Northport Batang Pier, Pringle was the second highest-pointer with 16, also adding eight rebounds. LA Tenorio and Greg Slaughter also contributed double digits with 11 and 10 respectively.

For NLEX, it was Poy Erram who had a double-double at 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Tony Mitchell and Kenneth Ighalo added 17 and 13 as well. One highlight for the Road Warriors’ night was the return of college star Kiefer Ravena after a year-long FIBA ban. Unfortunately, they still dropped in standing by the end of the night, now at only one win amidst seven losses.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone commented on their biggest competitor of the night being the venue, telling the media after the match, “It was tough conditions tonight playing the second game. The first game is always a lot safer than the second game because of the crowd and all the humidity starts to get worse, the floor gets more slippery. That’s always my experience playing in out-of-town games when there are two games,” referring to the league considering calling off the second game due to hazardous conditions.

He added, “Just glad to be able to come through it. We came out well in the third quarter. Justin and Stanley started playing well together and that’s something we envision.”

Brownlee and Pringle will continue to test their tandem during Ginebra’s next match as they face the Phoenix Pulse Fuelmasters next Friday, June 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. NLEX will try for a win again on the same day against the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.