MANILA, Philippines – NorthPort traded injured star guard Stanley Pringle to Barangay Ginebra as head coach Pido Jarencio looks to reunite with his former UST players. 

The Batang Pier acquired Solomon Mercado, Jervy Cruz, and Kevin Ferrer from the Gin Kings in a deal that has been approved by the PBA Commissioner’s Office. 

With Nico Elorde and Jonathan Grey also injured, NorthPort bolsters its squad with Mercado – who suited up for the Batang Pier in the past – and Cruz and Ferrer – who played under Jarencio for the Growling Tigers in the UAAP.

“We don’t have any players left, we have a lot of injuries,” Jarencio told Rappler in Filipino through a phone call. “At least with Kevin and Jervy, they already played for me so I am familiar with them.” 

Since being nabbed by NorthPort as the first overall pick in 2014, Pringle had been the face of the franchise, helping the team reach the playoffs 7 times and even contending for the MVP award. 

Pringle, though, saw action for only two games in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup as he recuperates from a bone spur surgery on his right foot.

“Stanley is a big loss but he is injured and we already need players. It just happened that there is a trade with Ginebra so I brought in the players I need in Kevin and Jervy,” Jarencio said in Filipino. 

Even with Pringle sidelined, the Batang Pier have won back-to-back games and own the second-best record in the league at 5-1. – Rappler.com