By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rain or Shine has begun with its offseason upgrades, finally adding a veteran presence to its backcourt after signing free agent Stanley Pringle to a two-year deal, the team announced Tuesday, July 15.
“We’re excited to announce that the former #1 overall pick in 2014 and 4-time PBA Champion is joining the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters after signing a two-year deal as a free agent,” the Elasto Painters said in a post in their official social media accounts.
With the signing of the four-time PBA champion, ROS is expected to have the veteran leadership and championship experience it sorely missed when Beau Belga was sidelined during the Philippine Cup semifinals against TNT.
The Elasto Painters are hoping to finally get over the hump and make it back to the Finals in the league’s 50th season after four consecutive semis appearances.
ROS’ young guards in Andrei Caracut, Adrian Nocum, Anton Asistio and Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti should also benefit in the arrival of the 38-year-old playmaker who could also serve as mentor to them.
Pringle, for his part, gets a chance to contend for another PBA title before calling it quits.
After being dealt by Barangay Ginebra to Terrafirma along with Christian Standhardinger, Pringle seemed to have a second wind to his career after averaging 13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists during the season-ending all-Filipino conference.
Pringle turned unrestricted free agent at the end of the Dyip’s campaign in the Philippine Cup and was therefore not part of the trade moratorium on all Terrafirma deals.
