Count Stanley Pringle among the players in sickbay for Rain or Shine early in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
Stanley Pringle sat at the end of the Rain or Shine bench Sunday night, Oct. 26.
Even when the Elasto Painters were trailing by 19, 85-66, against Titan Ultra , coach Yeng Guiao curiously did not field in the former Best Player of the Conference.
As it turned out, the 38-year-old is nursing a minor knee issue.
“Si Stanley, may minor soreness of the knee,” said Guiao post-match at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
[RELATED STORY: Anton Asistio repays Guiao’s trust, cans 4 game-winning FTs vs Titan]
Guiao said the crafty guard sustained the injury in RoS' match against San Miguel last Oct. 19.
The Elasto Painters lost, 93-111.
“Noong sa San Miguel game pa. Pero hindi naman serious,” he said.
[WATCH: PBA LIVESTREAM: San Miguel Beermen vs Brgy. Ginebra | Philippine Cup]
Aside from Pringle, Caelan Tiongson also did not see action for the second consecutive game because of a hamstring issue.
Fortunately for Guiao and the Elasto Painters, Adrian Nocum and Santi Santillan led a late-game uprising while Anton Asistio wrapped it up with his game-winning four free throws for a 112-111 victory.
Rain or Shine jumped to the top of the standings with TNT, Magnolia, and Converge with a 3-1 win-loss record.
NLEX later joined the pacesetters after beating Meralco, 89-85.
Meanwhile, it appears there’s no timetable yet for Pringle’s return.
“We’re also trying to get him back as soon as we can,” said Guiao of Pringle.
Pringle also delayed his Rain or Shine debut after skipping his new squad's opener against Meralco due to a sprained meniscus last Oct. 12.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.