MARC Pingris will be available to play when San Mig Coffee guns for the PBA Philippine Cup title in Sunday’s Game 5 of the Finals.
No less than San Mig Coffee Mixers team doctor Raffy Sanchez made the assurance after the hard-banging power forward suffered an abrasion on his right eye on Friday night when the Mixers clinched a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series following a stirring 93-90 win at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
“He had an abrasion. Somebody's hand got into his eyes and scratched it. Pero nothing to worry about,” assured Sanchez.
“Our opthalmologist assured that it will only need 24 hours for him to recover. You're asking me if he can play next game...yes!” was the San Mig doctor’s reply to Spin.ph’s query.
Sanchez revealed medication had already been given to Pingris, with its effect expected to be felt immediately.
The pride of Pozzorubio, Pangasinan had to be assisted by friends including agent Ed Ponceja to his car with his right eye covered by bandage.
“Ayaw ko dumilat. Masakit pag nakakakita ng ilaw,” said Pingris in a brief Spin.ph interview.
“May dugo yung mata ko. Nasugatan,” he added. “Masakit na rin kasi yung kaliwa. Nairita na rin. Di ko kaya dumilat."
The veteran big man bared that he was supposed to leave the game early, but opted to stay so he can show support to his teammates, which did not fail him by coming through with the win for a commanding lead in the series.
“Ayoko muna umalis. Kasi gusto ko ipakita support ko sa mga kakampi ko. Ayoko sila iwan sa gitna ng gyera,” he said with his eyes closed.
Watch the video of Pingris on his way to the hospital:
Watch the interview on San Mig team doctor Raffy Sanchez;
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