These two stars, along with NBA superstar Jordan Clarkson, shone the brightest for Team Pilipinas in the last Asian Games, where the team placed 5th, 2 places higher than in 2014.
As we now move on to the fourth FIBA qualifying window, Gilas will fall victim to harsher eligibility rules that impact mainly Fil-foreign players like Pringle, Standhardinger, and even Greg Slaughter.
While Slaughter has a good chance of playing as a local, neither Pringle nor Standhardinger would qualify as such, meaning they will be considered naturalized players.
And while Coach Yeng Guiao has already bared plans to use both players alternately as naturalized players, it does raise a question on who is the better suited player for Gilas, if we absolutely had to pick just one.
Before I do just that, here are the three things considered:
Thing #1: NEED
If Slaughter doesn't qualify as a local, the choice suddenly becomes him or Standhardinger, with Pringle automatically out. But if Slaughter is considered a local, then he will become the starting center for Gilas.
That means our potential frontline will consist of Standhardinger, Asi Taulava, JP Erram, Raymond Almazan, Ian Sangalang, Japeth Aguilar, and Beau Belga. That's a lot of big men with a lot of talent.
Our wings and backcourt will be thin though, as we will have only Gabe Norwood, Marcio Lassiter, Allein Malicsi, and Matthew Wright rotating in the wing spot while Pringle, Alex Cabagnot, Scottie Thompson, and Paul Lee will be our guards.
Thing #2 FIT
Given what we saw in Jakarta, I don't think fit will be a problem with either player. Both are unselfish, hardworking, and extremely motivated to make the country proud.
Standhardinger is more of a solo star though (weird, right) while Pringle is more team-oriented but both are effective in the international setting.
Thing #3 OPPONENT
Yes, it does make sense to have Standhardinger around for the Iran game, and Pringle for the Qatar game. But if only one player can play both games then you'd have to give the nod to the player who can bring the most value in each game.
Standhardinger has the size and presence to be a big factor in either game. Pringle brings shooting and perimeter defense every time but may struggle with the bigger Iranian guards.
Verdict:
I'd say Standhardinger wins by a hair over Pringle. Our need for rebounding, inside scoring, and interior defense is much more immediate than our need for pinpoint shooting, great passing, and on-court generalship.
And that isn't an indictment of Pringle but more a reflection of the team strengths and weaknesses.
Stanley Pringle is great but Alex Cabagnot can (sort of ) replicate what he does. No one on the team brings what Standhardinger is able to bring. If JuneMar Fajardo was on the team, then things would change drastically. But given that the last player to do what Standhardinger does was Marc Pingris, I'd say there is a bigger need for Standhardinger.
So, gun to head, Standhardinger gets the slot for me. But man, wouldn't it be great if Pringle gets to play as a local too?
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