The long wait is finally over for Marc Pingris.
After sitting out for about 16 months thanks to a torn ACL, the 37-year-old returned to the fold for Magnolia, as the Hotshots took on Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters in 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup action Saturday night.
Pingris confessed he’d been incredibly excited heading into his first game back since Game One of the 2018 Philippine Cup semifinals.
“Sobrang excited,” said Pingris, who has now been through two ACL injuries. “Actually, kagabi pa lang inayos ko na yung gamit ko – yung panlaro ko, kung ano yung susuutin ko. Excited talaga. Tapos nag-pray kami ni Danica.
“Talagang nagpapasalamat lang kami kay Lord na binigyan niya talaga ako ng sobrang patience sa sarili.”
Pingris admitted that there were times he almost gave up, but he is thankful to his wife Danica for giving him the strength he needed to pull through. He also drew strength from other people who use him as inspiration to rise amid drawbacks.
“Gusto ko ring magpasalamat sa mga nag-text sa akin na hindi ko kilala. May nag-text pa nga sa akin kanina isang lalaki, ‘Kuya Ping, na-ACL ako noong June 20, kailangan ko bang magpa-opera o hindi?’ Ang dami nagte-text sa akin.
“Tapos noong nakikita nila sa Instagram ko na unti-unti akong nakakabalik, siguro isa rin sila sa mga nag-push sa akin na, ‘Oh, kailangan mo talagang magpalakas para sa mga taong ito.’ Kasi tinitignan nila ako eh,” said Pingris.
Pingris came off the bench for Magnolia, and the crowd showered him with cheers when he checked in – not just from the Hotshots’ fans, but also the Fuel Masters, as they took the time to welcome him back.
“Sobrang tuwa lang. Sobrang excited nung pinapalakpakan ako ng mga fans, mga ganon, sobrang nakakatuwa lang talaga yung welcome nila. Even yung mga player ng Phoenix lumapit sa’kin, kinamayan nila ako,” he said.
Pingris played for seven minutes and 56 seconds, and he finished with three rebounds and turnover. The 15-year league veteran admitted that he nearly let his emotions out the moment he set foot on the hardwood.
His elation shot up even higher when the Hotshots won, 99-96, for their third straight win in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“Nung kanina nga nung naglaro ako, parang gusto ko magwala eh, gusto kong sumigaw. Gusto ko kunin yung bola, gusto kong ibato,” said Pingris with a chuckle. “Sobrang nakakatuwa lang, nakaka-miss lang maglaro.
“Sobrang emotional talaga ako kanina. Gusto kong umiyak pero pinipigilan ko lang.”
As far as game shape is concerned, the 6-foot-4 bruiser assessed himself at 60-percent. But Pingris said that the knee where he tore his ACL has healed a hundred-percent, and that he’s just strengthening it further.
“Okay naman, okay naman na. Hundred percent okay naman siya kasi dalawang beses akong pumasa sa hop test ko eh,” said the nine-time PBA champion. “Okay siya pero gaya ng sinabi, tuloy-tuloy pa rin yung rehab.”
Now that his first game is done, Pingris will be treading the road en route to regaining his form. The workhorse nicknamed the Pinoy Sakuragi due to his rebounding is determined, but he is doing everything patiently.
“Gusto ko talagang ibalik yung dating ako,” Pingris said.
“Ang dami kong utang kila coach. Ang dami kong utang sa mga boss, sa mga fans. Gusto ko ibalik yun, pero kailangan dahan-dahan. Hindi naman kailangang biglain yun.”
