Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Stanley Pringle is well aware of how good Kiefer Ravena is having shared the court with the NLEX rookie in pickup games years ago.
“I’ve played with Kiefer since before I was in the PBA. He’s great competitor and a hard worker,” he said.
But that was then.
Now, Pringle looks to test Ravena’s mettle when GlobalPort faces NLEX on Christmas Day at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Ravena is coming off a stupendous debut for the Road Warriors where he flirted with a triple-double with 18 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists and two steals in their 119-115 victory over Kia last Wednesday.
Pringle, meanwhile, will be tasked to lead the fight for the Batang Pier in their season opener without backcourt partner Terrence Romeo, who is still recovering from a knee injury.
The Fil-American guard expects a great game between the two sides.
“He’s already a great player. It’s going to be hard with Kiefer playing, you have to figure out what he can do and we need to execute what we scouted,” he said.
Pringle, however, wouldn’t want to look at the tiff as a duel between him and Ravena, saying that in the end, it’s still a team game.
“I’m not really looking at edging anybody. I’m focused on our team. When the coaches scout, we execute and that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
And that’s just the mentality GlobalPort needs as it seeks to have another playoff run this conference with the return of coach Pido Jarencio, the same mentor who led the franchise to its only semifinals appearance to date.
“This 2018 is going to be great,” vowed Pringle. “As far as the team, we’re looking at the semifinals. We have all the goals and plans set in and we’re gonna work hard. It’s gonna be a great season. It’s gonna be exciting.”