Indonesia Warriors’ Fil-Am ace also a PH five prospect

THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN point guard who turned the Indonesia Warriors’ campaign around has also given the San Miguel Beermen a tough time in their bid for a first Asean Basketball League crown.

But it’s all just work for Stanley Pringle, who even sees himself suiting up for the Philippine team in the future.

Pringle, who’s playing as an Asean import for the Warriors, was already a prospect for the first batch of the Smart Gilas national team before he decided to play in the European leagues.

But it was Indonesia that got hold of Pringle first after his European stint and the speedy 6-foot-1 talent turned the Warriors into an instant title contender when he joined them last April.

“I’d love to play for the national team,” said Pringle, who traces his roots in Santa Filomena in Cagayan. “It’s my first time here in the Philippines and it’s a good chance to meet my grandparents.”

Pringle, a former starting point guard for Pennsylvania State University, averages 16.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the Warriors.

In Game 1 of the finals, the 25-year-old Pringle again got away with 21 points, most of them during the Warriors’ early double-digit surge, before the Beermen rallied to hack out an 86-83 triumph over the weekend.

Next Saturday, the Beermen aim to complete a title sweep in Game 2 of the best-of-three series scheduled in Mahaka Square in Jakarta.

Although Pringle remains tied with the Warriors until 2014, Indonesia’s American coach Todd Purves said his star guard can still see action for the Philippines.

“He signed with the Indonesia Warriors exclusively for two more seasons, with the exception of whether he likes to play with the national team,” said Purves.

“There’s a flexibility, especially if it’s during the off-season. We’ve discussed it with him and if there’s an opportunity to represent the Philippines, we’re more than happy to let him.”