It was just the curtain-raiser of their 2018 Philippine Cup Semifinals with the NLEX Road Warriors on Saturday night, but the dark, unwanted clouds of uncertainties have floated above the Magnolia Hotshots once more.
The Hotshots’ semis campaign appears to have suffered a big blow, as leader Marc Pingris appeared to injur his left knee during Game One at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, and had to leave the court on a stretcher.
The 36-year-old was seen on the ground writhing in pain while clutching his left knee at the 4:39-mark of the fourth and final quarter, after losing balance when he drove hard to the basket against the honest defense of JR Quiñahan.
As of this posting, updates regarding Pingris’ injury and his status for the semis have yet to be obtained.
“What happened to Ping is very unfortunate,” lamented NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao. “But those things happen especially in the playoffs. When games are hard and physical, those things can happen, and we hope he’s okay.”
Players from both sides witnessed how Pingris went down, and they are all hoping that the 14-year league veteran has a speedy recovery.
“My prayers are up for him,” said NLEX’s Alex Mallari, who had played with Pingris before in the Grand Slam-winning team San Mig Coffee. “You hate seeing that to anybody, let alone Ping who’s such a great guy, great teammate.
“I hope he’s okay.”
“Pinagdasal ko lang si Ping. Kuya Ping is a very big part of my career,” said Road Warriors rookie Kiefer Ravena, who sees Pingris as his mentor in Gilas Pilipinas.
“It’s always sad to see a player go down like that. Hopefully he gets better.”
Teammate and fellow Magnolia old-timer PJ Simon, of course, hoped the same for his brother-at-arms. And for now, if ever worse comes to worst for their comrade, the Hotshots will have Pingris as one of their motivations for this series.
“I hope na hindi naman ganun ka-sama,” said Simon, who had 17 points in the loss.
“Kahit anong motivation, lahat ng motivation siguro kailangan gamitin na namin kasi sobrang hungry na rin kami makarating ng Finals ulit.”
And for Paul Lee, the Hotshots has to be ready with this unfortunate event.
“Si Kuya Ping, isa rin sa core ng team namin yun.
“Sobrang importante siya para sa’min. Nakakalungkot lang,” he lamented. “Ready lang kami. Kinausap naman ni coach yung ibang players na magready… [At] Paghahandaan talaga namin.”
