Rain or Shine guard Stanley Pringle was forced to the sidelines Sunday night, watching helplessly as the Elasto Painters eked out a nerve-wracking 112-111 escape over Titan Ultra at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
Coach Yeng Guiao confirmed that Pringle sat out due to a sore knee he sustained in their previous game against San Miguel Beer.
“Our point guards are struggling, and it would’ve been really helpful if Stanley was available,” Guiao said. “He told me he was ready to play, but I resisted the temptation. We’re lucky we pulled off the win, but his long-term health is the priority.”
It marked the second straight game the veteran floor general missed, having also sat out their 110-100 win over Blackwater earlier in the week.
In his season debut, Pringle logged 11 points and four assists in Rain or Shine’s 111-93 loss to the Beermen, showing flashes of his old form before the setback.
The good news for Guiao and company: Pringle’s return may be just around the corner. The 37-year-old guard is expected to suit up when the Elasto Painters face Terrafirma on Friday, again at Ynares.
“We’re not going to rush him,” Guiao assured. “We’ll wait for the next game and make sure he’s 100 percent.”
