There is no timetable yet, but Marc Pingris assured that he is nearing a return for the Magnolia Hotshots in the red-hot 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.
Having been out of action for 12 months already due to a torn ACL, the 37-year old big man said that he’s finally working out on his comeback, especially since he has participated in running, jumping and shooting drills as of late.
“Okay naman. Getting better naman. Every day, workout and nagi-sprint kami. Nagja-jump na rin kami tapos shooting,” said the 6-foot-4 slotman, who even joined the Hotshots in the shoot-around before their huge 109-83 win over Columbian Dyip.
“Ang kinukuha nalang namin yung timing sa landing talaga. Yun ang crucial ngayon.”
Pingris did not cite any definite date, but vowed to play at last once he reaches one-hundred-percent on his hop test – the team’s requirement for him to suit up anew.
“Basta kapag napasa ko na yung hop test ko, pwede na ko bumalik. Ginagawa naman namin yun everyday kasi kailangan one hundred-percent makuha ko iyon eh. So mga nasa eighty five-percent pa lang ako, ganun,” he added.
“Okay naman na. Nandun naman na yung galaw ko. Nakaka-jumpshot naman na ako, at nakaka-lateral na ako sa workout namin. It’s all about timing and power. Yun na lang.”
Good thing for the Hotshots, they have held the fort without their veteran anchor, with the recent Governors’ Cup championship serving as a glaring proof.
This conference, after a 0-3 start, Magnolia are slowly regaining their fiery form – much to the delight of Pingris, who can’t wait to don the Magnolia jersey anew to finally help his team.
“Siguro ano lang, nag-aadjust lang sila kasi galing sa championship. Medyo pagod pa yang mga yan. Siguro talagang mas pinaghahandaan sila ng mga team ngayon,” stressed Pingris.
“Parang sinabi sa amin dati ni coach Tim Cone, hangover yan eh. ‘Pag nararamadaman mo na nasa baba ka na, doon ka pa lang magtatrabaho eh. Ngayon nasa baba kami, paakyat naman na. Crucial yung game sa Sunday so sana kayanin ulit.”
Aside from his return to Magnolia, Pingris is also looking forward to the mid-season extravaganza, as this year’s PBA All-Star Weekend is slated for his home province in Pangasinan.
“First of all, nagpapasalamat ako sa mga fans kasi you know, one year na ata ‘ko ‘di naglalaro. Andon pa rin talaga yung suporta tsaka tiwala nila sa akin. Sobrang na-appreciate ko yun,” said the Pozzorubio, Pangasinan native.
“Kung palalaruin ako. Pero you know, yung laru-laro lang na para sa fans, gagawin ko yun.”
With him doubtful to play competitively, Pingris vowed to make his presence felt even for just entertainment as he hinted at putting on a dance show for his ‘kababayans’.
“Proud tayo dyan kasi diyan tayo galing eh. Taga-Pangasinan tayo. Basta, kung ano yung sasabihin lang ni coach [Chito Victolero], ni boss [Alfrancis Chua], ni Commissioner [Willie Marcial], gagawin ko yun. Para sa mga fans namin at siyempre sa mga kababayan ko sa Pangasinan,” he expressed.
“Kung pwede sumayaw, sasayaw.”
