Fil-Am import leads Indonesia win

INDONESIA LEANED on Fil-Am import Stanley Pringle to humble the AirAsia Philippine Patriots, 73-64, at the start of their best-of-three semis series in the AirAsia Asean Basketball League yesterday at the Ynares Sports Center.

Pringle hit two crucial jumpers down the stretch, including a booming trey, to finally repel the Patriots’ repeated rallies and move onto the threshold of booking a return trip to the finals.

The Indons were beaten by the Patriots in a highly-physical title series two years ago.

It was almost the same scenario yesterday. But this time, the Indons were more aggressive.

Pringle finished with a game-high 23 points.

It was the second straight win by the Warriors over the Patriots this season, having beaten the inaugural champion in the third and final round of the elimination round.

Pringle’s three-point shot turned out to be the dagger as the Warriors took a 71-62 lead with barely three minutes remaining.

Indonesia, which shot 53 percent from the field in the first half, can wrap it up with another win on Sunday in Jakarta. /pr