Tune-ups and practices have made Juami Tiongson thrilled with how things could turn for the better for Terrafirma with the presence of “two elite players” around.
The Dyip star is filled with excitement about what the upcoming PBA season holds for the club, with former BPCs Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle now on board following a blockbuster trade prior to Draft Day last July.
“It will be hard to help off of us,” he told reporters during the first day of the league’s annual Media Day at the Le Parc Event Hall in Pasay, Monday.
The former Gilas teammates saw themselves get sent to Terrafirma in exchange for Isaac Go and Stephen Holt plus a swap of first-round picks in the Season 49 Draft in a deal that sent shockwaves across the league.
Go and Holt were integral pieces in the Dyip’s historic run in last season’s Philippine Cup, where they booked their first quarterfinal appearance under Coach Johnedel Cardel and even dragged San Miguel to a sudden death.
Standhardinger and Pringle, on the other hand, witnessed the end of their stay in the Barangay, which they helped win multiple championships and at the same time won a BPC each. Thus, the surprise of many when it was pulled off.
Tiongson admitted that it was a bittersweet feeling to see members of that special Terrafirma team, let alone his good pals, go, including forward Javi Gomez de Liano as he’s since taken his act to Korea.
(C) PBA Images
“Actually, bittersweet feeling kasi siyempre ‘yung mga nawala sa amin, very close ako roon eh,” the one-time All-Star said. “May relationship na kami. Actually, may group chat pa rin kami, nagkukumustahan.
“Si Isaac, very close ako, kinukumusta ko siya kung kumusta siya sa Triangle, kumusta ‘yung Ginebra. But at the same time, very happy ako para sa kanila to play for Ginebra, pangarap ‘yan ng lahat ng players eh.
“And, to play under the greatest coach in Coach Tim,” added Tiongson, who was once in Tim Cone’s radar. “I’m very happy for both of them. Also kay Javi, ‘yung pangarap niyang bumalik ng KBL, natupad niya eh. Very happy.”
But then, he said bittersweet because he’s looking forward to what a Terrafirma team featuring Standhardinger and Pringle would be once the hoopfest starts.
“Nakuha naman namin si Stanley and C-Stan, who are two elite players, two champion players. Feel ko naman equal naman ‘yung pagkapalit ng players.
So far, he likes what he’s seeing. An exhibition match against Magnolia recently has convinced him enough of the impact that the 6-foot-8 Fil-German bruiser could bring, much to the benefit not just of him but the squad as well.
“Actually, feel ko ‘yung defense talagang magfo-focus na sa kanya eh. Ang laking bagay niya eh,” said the 10-year pro out of Ateneo de Manila.
“Nung naglaro kami against Magnolia in a tune-up game, ang laking difference. Ang laking ginhawa sa akin na ang laki na ng space na nakukuha niya e, lalo na sa 4-point line, I feel like magbe-benefit ‘yun talaga sa kanya.
“Kasi, it will be harder for the defense to double, triple-team him lalo na with Stanley there, ako who can make four-point shots,” he added.
Aside from the on-court contributions, Tiongson appreciates Standhardinger’s leadership, which for him serves as a confidence-booster.
“And ang maganda sa kanya, ang ganda ng attitude niya. Walang complaints. Actually, sinasabihan pa nga niya ‘ko, ‘Juami, you have to be more aggressive, it makes my life easier,’” he shared.
“And for him to say that, for an MVP-caliber player to say that, laking bagay tsaka laking confidence na nabibigay niya sa akin.”
What Tiongson is excited about Pringle, on the other hand, is how the 37-year-old combo guard could be of help in the Dyip’s backcourt.
“Kasi in practices ang nakikita namin ‘yung old Stanley Pringle eh, ‘yung GlobalPort Stanley Pringle,” he said of the 2018 scoring champion.
“Mas nagiging creative siya, mas nagiging aggressive siya. Kasi as we all know, ‘yung Triangle, equal opportunity offense ‘yun eh. But here with our system, we heavily rely sa guard plays,” Tiongson furthered.
