Batang Pier could hold own with Pringle – Mikee

MANILA, Philippines - With their acquisition of Fil-Am player Stanley Pringle, Globalport team owner Mikee Romero believes the Batang Pier can now  compete against the best, even hinting at scoring a major breakthrough in the coming PBA Season 40.   

Romero labeled the former Penn State stalwart “a game changer” who could spark their possible surge from the bottom in their first two seasons in the pros.

“He’s of a different kind. He’s really good,” said Romero of the player who’s been practicing with them two weeks before Draft Day.

They have had an agreement even before Globalport formally made Pringle the top pick in the draft exercise Sunday at the Midtown Atrium of Robinson’s Place Manila.

Romero said they will sign Pringle to a three-year contract worth the maximum allowed in the league.

“Ibang klase talaga ito (He’s really of a different kind),” said Romero of the 27-year-old top draft selection who has experienced playing as import in Belgium, Poland, Ukraine and Indonesia.

“I can bring a little more experience (to the PBA) since this is not my first professional season,” said Pringle, son of retired US Navy veteran Stanley Sr. and Filipina mother Elvira Ojano Andres of Cagayan Valley.

Romero was ecstatic as they got all the players they wanted from the draft.

“We really went after Anthony Semerad,” said Romero of the big San Beda gunner they picked at No. 7 through the draft rights they acquired on a trade with San Mig Coffee made right there on the draft floor.

Globalport then got two more key draft acquisitions in frontline operator Prince Caperal and guard John Pinto.

“We’re enamored with these guys, and we’re happy we’re still able to get them in the second round,” said Romero.

“With these guys, we’re ready to compete,” Romero also said.

The young magnate is optimistic they’re now a Final Four contender with a team including veterans Alex Cabagnot, Jay Washington, Yancy de Ocampo, Ronjay Buenafe, Kelly Nabong and Terrence Romeo.

Last year, Globalport was last placer in the Commissioner’s Cup and the Governors Cup, nailing just one win in each tourney.

In their first PBA season in 2013, the Batang Pier were also tail-enders in the Philippine Cup and the Commissioner’s Cup before improving to fifth in the Governors Cup.