NOT even his silence could stop Marc Pingris from sending his message loud and clear.
The Star power forward was present in the Hotshots’ practice on Tuesday afternoon at Ronac Gym in San Juan, but team governor Rene Pardo asked Spin.ph not to talk with Pingris.
But without saying a word, Pingris signified he is set to join the Gilas Pilipinas pool almost a week after announcing he has reconsidered his decision to excuse himself from national duty
He didn’t have to say anything.
Asked if he will attend Gilas practice on Wednesday, Pingris simply nodded his head.
[See Clarkson, Parks, Fajardo part of 24-man lineup submitted by Gilas for Fiba Asia wars]
That could mean national coach Tab Baldwin has accepted the hardworking forward to the pool amid talk that Pingris might affect the chemistry of the team, which is in the thick of training for the Fiba Asia Championship, having been together for three weeks now.
In an interview with Spin.ph columnist over DZBB, Pingris said he isn't sure if there is still a need for him in the national team he served with fervor during the 2013 Fiba Asia championships and the Fiba World Cup.
But the Star forward nonetheless expressed hope that he will be welcomed back by Baldwin.
"Ang tanong lang ay kung tatanggapin pa ko ni Coach Tab Baldwin, kasi pumili na siya ng players at nakakahiya naman kung mag-aalis siya ng isa para kapalit ko," he told Trinidad.
[See Fajardo dashes hopes of Gilas return]
Pingris also defended his decision to go to France just before the Gilas pool assembled for practice, saying he needed a break after playing basketball almost onn-stop for the past two seasons.
"Gusto ko lang magpahinga talaga. Tatlong taon kasi walang pahinga ang katawan ko for Fiba Asia at saka Fiba Worlds. Tapos naghabol pa kami ng four-peat sa PBA. Naramdaman ko na ready na bumigay katawan ko," he said.
"Na-apektuhan na nga rin pati yung PBA perfromance ko. Kaya napansin niyo wala man lang ako nakuhang awards last year. Ang habol ko pa naman yung Defensive Player of the Year.
"Pumunta ako ng France kasi two years ko na hindi nakikita ang dad ko. At nag take advantage ako ng opportunity na mag-bakasyon na rin. Nung nasa bakasyon ako na-realize ko na may opportunity na masasayang kung magpapahinga lang ako at yun ang chance makapasok sa Olympics.
"Na-relaize ko rin na last chance ko na ito at hindi na rin ako bumabata."
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