Stanley Pringle (right) is heading to Ginebra, but the team had to give up three players for him. Dennis Acosta (file photos) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA—In just a blink of an eye, Stanley Pringle is now with Ginebra.
Commissioner Willie Marcial on Tuesday approved a four-player trade that will see the six-foot combo guard suiting up for the Barangay.
However, the crowd darlings let go of Jervy Cruz, Sol Mercado, and Kevin Ferrer and sent them to the NorthPort Batang Pier in the process.
Pringle, who came close to winning the PBA MVP award last season, will join a solid Ginebra guard rotation led by LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson.
However, Pringle is currently recovering from a bone spur injury in his ankle, and as per NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio, on when he will return remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Cruz and Ferrer, who starred for University of Santo Tomas during their college days, will reunite with former college mentor Jarencio at the Batang Pier.
Also, Mercado is making a third PBA stop—fourth overall counting his stint with the franchise in the defunct Philippine Basketball League—with NorthPort, which opened an opportunity to rookie guard Robert Bolick to shine further with the Pringle trade.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno