Magnolia's Paul Lee and Barangay Ginebra's Stanley Pringle threw it back in Game 2 of Manila Clasico, with each delivering a vintage superstar performance.
Magnolia’s Paul Lee and Barangay Ginebra’s Stanley Pringle were once considered as among the PBA’s elite, the best of the best. But between injuries and advancing age, both Pringle and Lee have mostly been slowed down — still capable but no longer the sure thing they once were.
Yet, the superstar guards can still get it done, and they did so in another Manila Clasico game no less. Lee and Pringle put on a show in Game 2 of the semifinals between the Gin Kings and the Hotshots, with Lee brilliant all game long and Pringle superb in extended minutes. The Leethal Weapon finished with 24 points and 4 assists for Magnolia, while Stan the Man delivered 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists for Ginebra.
Fittingly, the two superstars were involved in the game’s final two plays, reliving that closer role each played so well in their prime. First, it was the 37-year-old Pringle hitting a booming triple to tow the Gin Kings ahead, 95-94, in what had been a thrilling back-and-forth to that point. Then, it was the 33-year-old Lee’s turn, recovering a loose ball off a broken play and banking in the buzzer-beating, game-winning shot to give the Hotshots the much-needed victory, 96-95.
Lee’s heroics are not the least surprising as the Angas ng Tondo has had a history of making big shots. But it is certainly the high point in what has arguably been the best stretch of games he has played in recent years. Over Magnolia’s last 7 games, Lee has been particularly lethal, averaging 18.9 points and dropping a pair of 20-point games against the usually stout defense of the Gin Kings.
Pringle, meanwhile, has been mostly solid this conference, but has seemingly raised his level of play a notch higher these playoffs. Twice the league’s scoring champ, Pringle continues to be a threat for Coach Tim Cone. But, ironically, it has been his ball-hawking defense that is earning him the trust of Coach Cone — and the minutes that come with it.
It remains to be seen what else Lee and Pringle have in store the rest of the way, or if they can continue their stellar play. But best believe that PBA fans certainly won't mind an encore or two. Just like old times' sake.