Stanley Pringle put up a vintage performance to help Ginebra escape Meralco, 92-88, and take Game 1 of their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup best-of-7 semifinal series, Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The 37-year-old guard led the way with a season-high 22 points and six rebounds, a performance highlighted by the dagger he struck — a tough one-hander against Cliff Hodge — to make it a 92-86 lead with 40.1 seconds left.
The former BPC also came through with a rebound so crucial afterwards, hauling down Allein Maliksi’s miss as the Kings went on to draw first blood.
“It’s huge,” said head coach Tim Cone of Pringle in delivering for a side that continues to fill a gaping hole in their wing position with Jamie Malonzo, Jeremiah Gray, and Aljon Mariano still in the injury/reserve list.
“He’s really more of a 1, 2 and he’s not really a 3. So we’re playing him out of position, and he’s still being productive on both sides of the floor. He’s getting rebounds, he’s still defending at the post, playing bigger than he is.”
Coming through hugely as well were rookie Ralph Cu with 18 points, all of which he earned from beyond the arc; Japeth Aguilar with 17 points and eight rebounds; and Maverick Ahanmisi with 15 points, six boards, and three assists.
Christian Standhardinger made 14 points, seven rebounds, and seven dimes as four of the five starters scored in double figures, with Scottie Thompson held to five points although he collected eight rebounds and six assists.
The 2022 PBA MVP was crucial, too, in their third-quarter explosion, nailing one of the team’s five triples for a 33-point barrage that enabled the Barangay to take a 73-61 advantage heading into the deciding chapter.
“They locked in, and came together,” said Cone as his wards earned some payback after being blown out by the Bolts in the eliminations, 91-73.
Chris Newsome, on the other hand, had 21 points and 13 rebounds with six assists to lead Meralco in the fightback that fell short.
All I hear is apologies with no accountability. How fun!!!
— Chris Newsome (@New11New) May 17, 2024
The star guard himself led the Bolts’ late-game rally, coming up big on both ends to help his side get to within four, 90-86, following a split from the foul line with 1:01 to spare — that, after facing a 79-89 deficit with 1:35 on the clock.
But then, Pringle happened, stopping Meralco from its tracks as the Barangay went on to draw first blood in the race-to-four affair.
“I wouldn’t say it gets easier as I get older but I’ve been through those moments. So, I just try to focus on each possession,” the former scoring champion said.
Game 2 is on Sunday, May 19, still at the MoA Arena.
The Scores:
Ginebra 92 – Pringle 22, Cu 18, J.Aguilar 17, Ahanmisi 15, Standhardinger 14, Thompson 5, Onwubere 1, Tenorio 0, Pinto 0.
Meralco 88 – Newsome 21, Banchero 15, Maliksi 13, Quinto 11, Hodge 10, Almazan 8, Bates 6, Caram 3, Pasaol 1, Mendoza 0, Torres 0, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 22-22, 40-41, 73-61, 92-88.
