MARC Pingris missed Star's final game of the season after he was benched in the team's 108-97 loss to Rain or Shine in the PBA Governors Cup Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
A team insider confirmed the veteran forward came 15 minutes late for the game, prompting head coach Jason Webb to bench him the entire match.
Pingris was in uniform and cheered the Hotshots on from the bench.
The television panel claimed Pingris got caught in 'Friday payday' traffic, but the Gilas Pilipinas mainstay refused to speak about the incident after the game.
However, the same team source said prior to the game, Pingris asked the permission of the coaching staff to arrive a bit late for the game as he had to attend to an 'important family matter.'
Pingris joined fellow superstar James Yap on the bench as they watched the Hotshots get clobbered by the Elasto Painters.
Star ended its campaign in the season-ending conference with a 2-9 record, finishef 10th overall, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
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