Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Pingris wants Abueva to be Gilas’ heart


Laban Pilipinas! Puso!

For four years, Marc Pingris was the voice that sparked the battle cry of Gilas Pilipinas. The FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Manila last July, however, was the last time the 35-year-old would don the colors of the country, as head coach Chot Reyes has decided to build a team that has youth and is composed of 18 new faces.

Through joys and tears, Pingris was a huge part of the program, not allowing club loyalty get in the way of national duties. And he has come to accept that it’s time for a new breed of Filipino cagers to represent the country.FIBA-OQT-Day-2-Philippines-vs.-New-Zealand-Pingris-7604 Pingris wants Abueva to be Gilas' heart Basketball Gilas Pilipinas News PBA  - philippine sports news

“I’m happy naman. It’s time naman para bigyan natin ng opportunity ‘yung mga bata para makapaglaro rin at suportahan. I’m happy rin na makakasama ko rin ng matagal ‘yung family ngayon kasi na-miss ko rin sila kasi umaalis kami before,” shared Pingris, who is a father of two.

“Maganda rin ‘yung tine-train na nila ‘yung mga bata ngayon kasi ganoon ‘yung ginagawa ng ibang bansa. ‘Di ba ‘yung mga nakakalaban natin 16 or 17 years old tine-train na nila? So, I’m happy naman na ganoon ‘yung ginawa ni coach na bata kinuha niya.”

With Jayson Castro and Japeth Aguilar serving as the team’s eldest statesmen, the son of Pozzorubio, Pangasinan believes that he, Gabe Norwood, and Ranidel de Ocampo are leaving the team in good hands.

“Alam ko ready na rin si Jayson, Paul [Lee], June Mar [Fajardo], Japeth. Marami na rin sila pinagdaanan e. I hope madadala nila ‘yung team ngayon,” the eight-time PBA champion shared.

Pingris has pegged Calvin Abueva to replace him as the team’s heart, the one who can provide instant energy that can fire up the team.Gilas-4.0-Romeo-Blatche-Rosario-RDO-Abueva Pingris wants Abueva to be Gilas' heart Basketball Gilas Pilipinas News PBA  - philippine sports news

“Sana mas more [involved] si Calvin. Siya ‘yung gusto kong maging vocal sa kanila dahil siya ‘yung magbibigay ng energy sa team ngayon.

“Ang [sinasabi] ko lang [ay] huwag siyang mahiyang kausapin ‘yung mga beterano, mga rookie dahil alam ko siya talaga ang magdadala,” Pingris remarked about the 28-year-old Pampagueno.

“Siya ‘yung puso ng Gilas ngayon, Calvin.”

But Abueva is taking it lightly, focusing on the current task he has with Alaska.

“Actually hindi ko muna naiisip yan. Nababasa ko lang pero wala muna yan sa isip ko dito muna sa league na ‘to. Bawat game crucial kaya kailangan muna mag-focus,” said Abueva, who has only won one PBA championship in his six-year career.

But everyone knows that “The Beast” is keeping Pingris’ words to his heart.

#ReadMore  UAAP 86 WCH: Mhage Sebastian's 5th straight win paves way for FEU's 1st round sweep
Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

BACOLOD -Team Japeth and Team Mark ended up in a stalemate, 140-140, in a thrilling conclusion to the PBA All-Star Bacolod 2024 witnessed by...

Basketball

Magnolia began its PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup campaign with a dominant 106-75 conquest of Converge, Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The...

Basketball

Christian Standhardinger was selected first overall once more in the PBA All-Star Game Draft on Monday night at the TV5 Media Center in Pasig....

Basketball

Mark Barroca and Japeth Aguilar will be headlining the 2024 PBA All-Star. The decorated veterans topped the fan voting and will therefore serve as...

Basketball

Paul Lee dealt the toughest of blows in the endgame as Magnolia took down San Miguel anew, 96-85, to tie the PBA Season 48...

Basketball

It’s all about tuning out the noise for Magnolia. Head coach Chito Victolero said that the recent controversy involving Calvin Abueva hardly bothered the...

Basketball

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial warned Calvin Abueva about facing another banishment should he get involved in another controversy. The league chieftain issued the stern...

Basketball

The PBA Commissioner’s Office has fined Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva P100,000 for mocking San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent during Game 2 of the Season...

Advertisement