Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Stanley Pringle’s trade to Barangay Ginebra hit NorthPort guard Robert Bolick hard.
The Batang Pier rookie said seeing Pringle go to another team wasn’t just losing a teammate but also letting go of a brother.
Bolick, the third overall pick of the 2018 Draft, held back his emotions when he talked about the trade that transpired on Tuesday that sent Pringle to the Gin Kings for Kevin Ferrer, Jervy Cruz, and Sol Mercado.
“Actually, it’s hard for me because this is the first time that I’ve seen a trade and I’ve only spent just one conference with him,” said Bolick in Filipino after the Batang Pier’s 107-105 overtime win over Rain or Shine in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“My agent boss Marvin (Espiritu) called me and he said that the trade happened and I actually turned my phone off after that because I really couldn’t accept it. I cried because I want to be selfish for a bit and I want to be his teammate for a longer time because he’s one of the best players in my position.”
Pringle, who was chosen first overall pick by the Batang Pier in 2014, played the first six years of his career sharing the backcourt with three-time scoring champion Terrence Romeo.
When Bolick came into the league, Romeo was traded to San Miguel and that left the other guard position vacant for the San Beda alum to slot into.
Bolick’s arrival to the Batang Pier meant that he wasn’t just sharing the court with Pringle but also learning from one of the best point guards in the league.
“In the one conference that we spent with each other, I’ve already learned so much from him,” said Bolick, who had 22 points and nine assists against the Elasto Painters. “My high-arching layups came from him because he has this really long stick and he would block my shots with it despite his [foot] injury.”
Bolick, who has an older half-brother in Ormoc, said Pringle was a big brother to him and that it was the 32-year-old point guard that taught him moves during practice.
“During the All-Star break we would go out, drink, eat, and just talk. Of course even if we’re with different teams we’ll still be seeing each other, I will call him and workout even though we’re opponents now,” said Bolick.
“I feel that if we stayed teammates for at least one more year then I think I’ll be an even better player.”