Pumaren downplays heated commotion with Pringle

GlobalPort head coach Franz Pumaren. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

GlobalPort coach Franz Pumaren downplayed his fierce exchange with star guard Stanley Pringle during the Batang Pier’s loss to Barangay Ginebra Sunday night.

“It’s no biggie. It’s normal for coaches during the heat of the game. You cannot mellow or what,” he said.

Pumaren and Pringle had a heated commotion when the outspoken mentor called the flashy playmaker out during a timeout with 4:35 remaining in the second quarter for his apparent lack of effort on defense.

The 2014 Rookie of the Year tried to explain his side but went on to throw a towel which hit Sean Anthony that irked Pumaren.

“He was being lazy,” Pumaren said in a report during the game.

Team manager Bonnie Tan and the rest of the Batang Pier played the role of peacemakers as they quickly tempered the situation, restraining Pringle away from the huddle.

The two eventually made amends before the start of the second half, but that couldn’t stop GlobalPort from suffering a blowout, 124-108.

Pumaren, a fierce competitor back in his playing days, couldn’t help but see a little of himself in Pringle.

“It’s just like me when I was playing. I used to argue with my coaches, too.”

Pumaren said he holds no ill will toward Pringle, noting that he understands where his player is coming from during their verbal spat.

“For me, it’s my style. Even in college, if you have something to say, it’s no problem. For me, we just have to do what we’re supposed to be doing. It’s nothing to me. We’re all professionals here. That’s no biggie for me,” he said.

Pringle opted to stay mum on the issue as he quietly made his way out of the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

As frustrating as the night was for GlobalPort, Pumaren said that the beatdown shouls serve as a lesson going forward.

“Let’s put it this way,  they played great and we played bad. We didn’t get any help from the bench, not like the previous games,” he said.

GlobalPort takes a 20-day respite before playing against Kia on Aug. 20 at the Big Dome.