Five days before Christmas, Marc Pingris was just wishing that he could play in Christmas Clasico as he had not missed the last two editions of the highly-anticipated match-up.
“Kung ako lang, oo naman, gusto ko maglaro sa Clasico. Kilala niyo naman ako eh. Bahala na kung may masakit, tapalan nalang siguro,” the 15-year league veteran shared after Magnolia’s 108-95 win over Alaska.
Second-year Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero shared how badly the 36-year-old wanted to play in the game. Come game time, Victolero obliged, fielding in Pingris with 5:09 left in the opening frame.
“Nabigla din ako na nakalaro ako,” Pingris shared. “Pero laking pasasalamat ko kay coach na nakapaglaro ako dahil kahit papaano nandun pa rin yung tiwala niya sa akin at kahit wala ako sa kundisyon.
“Talagang pinilit ko lang, tinry lang.
However, for the third straight Christmas, Pingris and the Hotshots did not go home with a win, succumbing to Ginebra 78-89 — much to the chagrin of the eight-time PBA champion.
“Pero yun nga, talo na naman.
“Sixty percent pa lang ako. Yung timing at hangin sa katawan yung nawala sa akin nun,” the 6-foot-4 forward admitted. “Ten days din ako nagpahinga at binugbog yung katawan ko so hindi pa ko nakaka-recover. Sa practice nga inaalalayan ako ni coach at hindi niya ko binibigla.”
Even with an injury-riddled lineup, Magnolia was able to keep close for much of the game — even cutting the lead to as low as four points in the final frame. But the Hotshots could not get over the hump.
Just like Paul Lee, Pingris admitted that they have to get over Ginebra to prove that they are title-contenders.
“Sa totoo lang, mahirap kalaban yung San Miguel at Ginebra dahil sa mga player nila na malalaki,” the outspoken big man added. “Sa kanila talaga yung loob e. Pansin ko every game namin sa kanila, sinusugal ni coach Tim na tumira kami sa labas at hindi sa loob. Ganoon din siya sa amin, di bale ng matalo kami sa labas, huwag lang sa loob.
“E ngayon pa, papano mo sila matatalo sa loob e may malalaki sila? Anlalaki!”
Still, he remains hopeful that they could find a solution to their big men woes when facing the league’s giants as the season will progress.
“Every talo namin madami kaming natututunan kaya positive pa rin kami na kaya naming pumasok sa semis.
“Kailangan namin pagtrabahuan ang mga mistakes namin sa laro na nakikita ni coach. Hindi ko na sasabihin yun kasi baka ma-scout kami pero marami kaming maiimprove pa. Meron kaming mga rookie pero at least nakakatulong sila. Kailangan namin magayam yung isa’t isa,” Pingris closed.
