Pringle stokes Batang Pier dream of a title

MANILA, Philippines - Thanks to reigning PBA Rookie of the Year Stanley Pringle, GlobalPort is looking every bit like a championship contender just one month into the PBA’s 41st season.

Approaching every game with a workman-like attitude, the bearded Fil-American guard churned out another virtuoso performance last week.

Against the rugged Rain or Shine side, the former Penn State standout used his outside shooting, his quickness and his dribbling skills to break down the Elasto Painters defense as the Batang Pier essayed a 113-111 escape act on Friday at the Philsports Arena.

The six-foot Pringle saved the best for last when he converted on a tough layup against three defenders to hand Rain or Shine its first defeat, while sealing GlobalPort its third straight win this conference.

GlobalPort’s victory forged a four-way logjam at second to fifth spots with Alaska, Talk ‘N Text and Rain or Shine at 3-1, just half a game behind league-leader San Miguel Beer’s 4-1 card.

Pringle finished with a career-high 27 points, to go along with eight rebounds and six assists. He also shot 11-of-15 from the field, while knocking down three triples for good measure.

The 2014 PBA top rookie pick bagged his second Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week this season as he nosed out two-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer and Talk ‘N Text combo guard Jayson Castro for the weekly citation.