Stanley Pringle ‘good to go’ on Sunday against Blackwater, says Tim Cone

Stanley Pringle’s return to active duty could happen on Sunday, June 12, during Brgy. Ginebra’s season opener against Blackwater at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The 35-year old Fil-Am last saw action on December 12, 2021 against Alaska for the team’s Governors’ Cup opener. He scored 7 points, had 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a block as the Gin Kings posted a 80-77 victory over the Aces.

It was his last outing in the season-ending conference as the top overall pick of the 2014 draft suffered a knee injury and would be out for three months.

While still not in game shape, Brgy. Ginebra head coach Tim Cone believes Pringle is now on pace for his much-awaited comeback.

“I think Stanley still needs to build strength. He doesn’t have pain anymore but he doesn’t have his full explosiveness yet, his superior quickness that he shows all the time. He just looks a little bit of a half-step slow than he did in the past,” explained Cone.

“Trainers tell us that he just needs more time to continue to strengthen so he can play. But the injury itself, he is a hundred percent. But his game, I don’t think it’s 100 percent there yet. He is still working. I’d say more about 85, 90 percent at this point. He still has a lot of room to grow,” added the 24-time PBA champion mentor.

Aside from Pringle, Japeth Aguilar is also set to see action against the new-look Bossing after recovering from a calf injury which he sustained during the Governors’ Cup playoffs.

“Japeth seems to be fine. It was a calf pull. You always worry about calf pull later on. They can recur. But I think he’s had enough rest. And he continues to rehab and strengthen all the time. Right now, he is very near 100 percent,” said Cone.

“They will be good to go in the first game,” he added.