Ginebra stars shine the brightest

CEBU, Philippines —  The Barangay Ginebra Kings led by spunky guard Stanley Pringle dominated the virtual PBA Season 45 Awards held on Sunday night at the TV 5 studio in Mandaluyong City.

The hour-long program, graced by a few members of the PBA Board headed by chairman Ricky Vargas and commissioner Willie Marcial, recognized the league’s outstanding performers during its historic bubble play in Clark, Pampanga late last year.

In all, the Kings hauled five out of nine awards, with the 33-year-old Pringle coming out as the biggest winner after being named as the Best Player of the Conference.

“Just like the others said just being nominated was a blessing. It’s really hard to pick a winner. All are deserving. I’m now looking forward to playing the next conference hard,” said Pringle in a report by PBA.ph.

Pringle gladly shared his BPC accolade to the entire Ginebra squad under the guidance of coach Tim Cone.

“As far as awards, your teammates are going to put you in a position to win, so it’s just as much as their award as yours,” Pringle said. “So shout out to all my teammates. That’s it, it’s their award, too.”

Pringle also made it to the Elite Five together with Ginebra teammate Japeth Aguilar, TNT KaTropa’s Poy Erram, and the Phoenix tandem of Matthew Wright and Calvin Abueva.

Ginebra’s Prince Caperal and Scottie Thompson caught part of the spotlight. Caperal was feted as the Most Improved Player while Scottie Thompson bagged the Sportsmanship award.

On the other hand, Meralco’s Aaron Black made history as the lowest draft pick to win the Rookie of the Year honors.