The Real Deal Redux

Not yet Stan the Man, but def the Real Deal
Photo courtesy of Sports5

"One game doesn't make a PBA career."

It does, however, offer a glimpse of things to come should every thing turn out the way it's meant to be (barring any injuries, on and or off court issues, etc). This is basically what Boss Mikee Romero and the entire Global Port Batang Pier team and fanbase are hoping for after their prized 2014 PBA Draft 1st overall pick Stanley Pringle delivered last Sunday though in a 96-101 losing effort to the NLEX Road Warriors.
Playing an absurd 40 minutes, Pringle managed a respectable 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers and 4 fouls while being asked to keep his two trigger happy backcourt buddies Alex Cabagnot and sophomore star Terrence Romeo.
Coming off an impressive ABL career and armed with a well-travelled basketball CV, a lot is expected of Pringle. Many thought that he'd come in to become the new Jayson Castro-- an absolute blur of a human being on the hardcourt. Some said that he''ll have trouble adjusting to the physicality (it doesn't get more physical in the PBA than going against a frontline of one Asi Taulava AND Enrico Villanueva though let's see what happens in the Rain or Shine match). Others say that he can't shoot well enough to command respect as a floor general (this writer included).

Well, in his debut, he didn't have to win any one's approval.

He had shooters, scorers, so he used them.

He was given a huge chunk of playing time, so he paced himself properly in games.

Pido Jarencio basically threw out his offensive playbook (if he ever did have any) and let Pringle take control of the tempo and decide which shooter to go to-- Romeo, Cabagnot, or any one.

And Pringle, despite being the supposed rookie, delivered.

Yes, he could've had more assists-- but he knew very well not to get in the way of Romeo's iso-based rhythm... and that there's an unwritten pecking order when it comes to all things Cabagnot (who took 20 shots *!*).

Was Boss Mikee correct in saying that we're looking at the new Fast and Furious combo in the PBA with Romeo and Pringle running the floor? Could very well be.

Hopefully, the team considers addressing their lack of an anchor in the paint (Yancy's too old at this point) which all three guards could work off as a fulcrum of sorts so the ball doesn't have to be glued to their hands outside exclusively.