Stanley Pringle watches the game between his former team NorthPort and Rain or Shine. The Batang Pier won, 107-105. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Stanley Pringle has found himself in a prime position to win his first PBA title after NorthPort traded him to defending Commissioner’s Cup champion Barangay Ginebra on Tuesday.
To get to the top, however, is a long and grueling process and Pringle took his first baby steps toward the ultimate goal on Wednesday.
Pringle appeared in his first practice with the Gin Kings, who gave up three rotation pieces in Sol Mercado, Jervy Cruz and Kevin Ferrer to get the superstar guard.
“When you’re a new player in a new system, you should learn and soak it in first and figure out how to help the team,” Pringle, who has yet to make the PBA finals, said in a story posted on ESPN5. “This is my first day, still got a lot to go. I still need to get my feet wet. I expect to pull out a notepad and write everything down and try to memorize everything.”
“That’s everybody’s main goal, to win a championship. Whatever situation you’re in, that’s pretty much the main goal, to win a championship. But right now, it’s all about the steps you need to take, small steps first, learn the offense,” he added.
The 32-year-old Pringle, one of the best players in the league today, is set to make his Ginebra debut on Sunday against NLEX in Batangas.
Pringle has only played two games for NorthPort this conference after undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs in his right ankle last conference.
The Gin Kings are currently in fifth place in the standings with a 3-3 record.