Was trading for Pringle a bad move for Ginebra? Comparing 2018 and 2019 Com. Cup Player Stats

(c) PBA Media Bureau

The biggest trade this year happened last June when Ginebra landed Stanley Pringle for three of their rotation players. The issue of it being a lopsided trade remains to be a hot topic up to this point but after Ginebra failed to reach the Finals this year to defend their crown, it seems like it was not bad after all.

In this article, let us first look at the averages of Stanley in the 2018 and 2019 Commissioner's Cup.

2018: 21.0 PTS | 5.6 REBS | 5.7 ASTS | 1.7 STLS | 17.8 FGA | 7.9 3PA | 44% FG | 32% 3FG | 3.8 TOs

2019: 16.8 PTS | 4.0 REBS | 5.2 ASTS | 1.6 STLS | 14.4 FGA | 5.6 3PA | 47% FG | 29% 3FG | 3.8 TOs

First, Pringle actually played more minutes per game with Ginebra than in Northport. Of course, his field-goal attempts will decrease because he is now playing with more talented teammates. The most glaring issue with his numbers is, of course, his outside shooting. 29% efficiency from beyond the arc will damage the team rather than help it no matter how streaky Pringle is as a shooter.

Even though Pringle was added, Justin Brownlee actually averaged an additional 7.6 minutes per game, additional  2.1 FGA and his assists per game declined 0.7 per game. It basically indicates that Ginebra relied on Brownlee more this conference than last year.

One more guy with a very different statline from last year was Japeth Aguilar. Look at it. 

2018: 13.4 PTS | 4.9 REBS | 1.5 ASTS | 1.4 BLKS | 9.7 FGA | 54% FG | 1.6 TOs

2019: 17.0 PTS | 6.9 REBS | 1.9 ASTS | 1.1 STLS | 11.8 FGA | 52% FG | 1.8 TOs

All the numbers of Aguilar were worse this conference. I am pretty sure his skill level did not decrease. His role could be a little bit different. But the most glaring difference was the lesser focus on him on offense. As you can see by the 2 rebounds difference, it affects the other aspects of his game.

Of course, those are not all due to trading for Stanley Pringle but the biggest reason why that question is getting some hype is the fact that they failed to even reach the semifinals.