PH 5 seeks redemption

Matthew Wright, Paul Lee and Stanley Pringle join the Philippine team’s practice at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ

National team coach Yeng Guiao said choosing Stanley Pringle over Christian Standhardinger as the Philippines’ naturalized player was a hard decision to make.

But that’s not a knock on the explosive Pringle, who also brings a ton of upside to the Philippine team.

“Stanley Pringle is taking over the naturalized position over Christian Standhardinger,” Guiao told reporters after the Philippine team practice at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, the eve of its game against Qatar in the Fiba World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers.

“That was a very difficult decision, agonizing decision with the way Christian was playing not only against Iran but consistently playing for the national team even from the Asian Games.”

“But Stanley also brings a lot to the game he creates a lot of situations for his teammates. He can score, he can defend, he can pass. We’ll miss Christian, but Stanley gives us another dimension, so I think whatever we lose with Christian not playing, we’ll be able to get some other way with Stanley.”

Standhardinger, the Fil-German bruiser, was Gilas’ naturalized player in a 73-81 loss to Iran on Thursday where he led the team with a game-high 30 points and 12 rebounds.

Pringle was in the Asian Games roster last month and was among the Philippines’ best players along with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson and Standhardinger.

Apart from Pringle, Guiao will also have Matthew Wright and Japeth Aguilar, back from serving their one-game suspensions for their participation in a melee against Australia last July at Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

The Philippines was in dire need of additional outside threat against Iran after shooting just 18 percent from the 3-point area and the sweet-shooting Wright would’ve made a big difference.

“Matthew is going to provide us an extra option as a shooting weapon,” Guiao said.  “We had some problems with our outside shooting against Iran.”

“Japeth adds the size, the length and the inside presence. He’s a defensive stopper and rim protector.”

The Nationals hope to redeem themselves in the closed-door encounter at 7:30 p.m., at Smart Araneta Coliseum.