Stanley Pringle trade to Ginebra not one-sided, says Sol Mercado

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MANILA, Philippines—On paper, trading away a franchise star for two role players and a reserve may seem one-sided.

That’s how casual fans see the trade that sent Stanley Pringle to Barangay Ginebra for Sol Mercado, Kevin Ferrer and Jervy Cruz.

But for Mercado, the blockbuster deal was anything but unfair.

Mercado said that looking at mere stats won’t do justice to the fairness of the trade as its true worth is usually seen beyond the numbers.

“They say that the trade was one-sided because they see Stanley as one of the best guards and he puts up 30 [points] a game or whatever,” said Mercado after the Batang Pier’s 127-99 win over the Blackwater Elite.

“What they don’t understand is that at Ginebra, we make a lot of sacrifices. I, Kevin, and Jervy made a lot sacrifices for the benefit of the team.”

Mercado and Ferrer are both key role players for the Gin Kings playing 23 and 15 minutes a game, respectively while pitching in a combined average of around 10 points and six rebounds a game in the conference.

Cruz, meanwhile, has averaged only two minutes a game in his two appearances for the Gin Kings in the conference and had zeroes in all statistical categories across his name.

Pringle, meanwhile, normed 14.5 points and 2.0 rebounds this conference in just two games this conference due to injury after coming off an impressive Philippine Cup campaign where he tallied 20.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists a game.

“Stanley here [NorthPort] had the ball in his hands 85 percent of the time but that won’t happen in Ginebra,” said Mercado, who had 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block in 30 minutes of play.

“Over here, it’s obviously a different style, we play with the ball, and we’re playing a fast pace so it’s definitely an adjustment. It’s a new chapter for all of us and hopefully, we contribute to wins.”

Mercado and company did contribute right away with Ferrer also erupting for 23 points and Cruz posting a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds in just their first game for the Batang Pier.