The last time Star Hotshots main man Marc Pingris graced the basketball court was February 21, during Game Seven of the 2017 Philippine Cup Semifinals opposite the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, in the Manila Clasico series.
And after that, the 35-year-old was often seen in street clothes and on the sidelines, cheering his team for six long months, as he had been nursing a hip injury, which he had incurred in Game Six of the said semis clash.
But after the lengthy hiatus, the Gilas Pilipinas legend finally returned to the hardwood, this time on a Wednesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, as the Hotshots took on the slumping and undermanned Phoenix Fuel Masters.
The eight-time champion was checked in by Star head coach Chito Victolero with 2:38 left to play, when everything had been all but decided. Pingris then played until the end, and was even able to collect a couple of rebounds and an assist.
The Hotshots faithful inside the venue could not have been more elated to see their idol return. And the proud son of Pozzorubio, Pangasinan also feels the same, as he cherished his return to the fold after so many months.
“I think magsi-six months na yata or five months? I’m very excited,” said Pingris after their 100-81 win. “Kanina sobrang natutuwa rin ako sa mga fans na kahit two minutes lang yung nilaro ko, talagang pinapalakpakan ako.
“Sobrang miss na miss nila ako. Sobrang miss na miss ko rin yung liga natin. I’m happy kahit pakonti-konti lang, nakakabalik naman kahit paano.”
His return had actually come from a simple question by Victolero. “Sinabi niya sakin ‘gusto mo maglaro?’ Tapos si Sir (Rene) Pardo ‘gusto mo maglaro para sa fans?’ Gumanon. ‘O sige po, gusto ko rin maglaro,” narrated Pingris.
Despite the optimism that his return brought, Pingris said that he is still undergoing strength training to further improve his condition. Moreover, the 13-time All-Star is also working to regain his form individually and with his teammates.
“Konti-konti lang,” he said. Sinabi ko rin kay coach yun… Makikita mo naman sa isang player yun eh. Sinabi ko sa kanya na ‘coach, pakonti-konti lang, ‘wag mo ‘ko bibiglain’. Alam ni coach yun ka player din si coach eh,” he said.
“Sa practice inuunti-unti ako ni coach, so iniintindi ko yun. Kahit alam ko na yung depensa, iniintindi ko pa rin, kahit yung galaw nila, lalo na sa import — actually di pa nga kami naglalaro sa isa’t-isa kasi two minutes lang nilaro ko,” Pingris admitted.
“So more focus tsaka conditioning pa sa’kin.”
