THEIR backs against the wall, the Magnolia Hoshots' spirits lifted by their former star player on Thursday night.
Marc Pingris heartily cheered the team on from behind the bench during its close 110-104 win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters that revived their desperate bid for a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Pingris, 43, showed up at the Philsports Arena on Wednesday night wearing the old Star jersey of import Ricardo Ratliffe, who developed a deep friendship with the veteran power forward during their time together with the Purefoods franchise.
Ping supports his 'brothers'
“Suporta lang. Na-miss ko na rin naman 'yung team and 'yung mga brothers ko dito,” said the Pinoy Sakuragi, who remained active playing in the MPBL.
Pingris dropped by the Hotshots' locker room before the game.
“Hindi naman siya nagsalita. Nagpakita lang siya sa dugout, nakipag-kuwentuhan,” Magnolia coach Chito Victolero shared to SPIN.ph.
He whispered tell something meaningful to team manager Alvin Patrimonio, the four-time PBA MVP and franchise legend.
“Sabi niya ‘Kap, give me just three months,” Victolero said of Pingris’ conversation with Patrimonio.
Pingris played a total of 14 seasons with Magnolia, including the last 10 of his PBA career before retiring during the pandemic-hit season in 2020.
He won nine championships with the franchise including the 2014 grand slam, was Finals MVP twice, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time member of the All-Defensive Team, a three-time Mythical Second Team, and 15-time All-Star.
During the Magnolia-Phoenix game, he was acknowledged as part of the league’s 40 Greatest Players in PBA history.
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