MARC Pingris probably saved some money on Thursday when Denzel Bowles was no longer around for TNT Katropa in the tune-up game against Star at Ronac Center.
The Hotshots star earlier promised to reward import Tony Mitchell $100 for every dunk he would make on Bowles, but Pingris didn’t have to reach for his pocket anymore as the former Star import was already sent packing by the Texters.
“Oo nga eh (nakatipid). Tumakas eh,” Pingris said in jest before turning serious in a chat with SPIN.ph after the exhibition the import-less Texters still won, 87-84.
“Kaya nga rin pumunta ako dito para makita rin siya eh," he added, surprised by Bowles' absence. "Pero nung pag dating ko, hinahanp ko siya, and then sabi, pinauwi daw nila.”
[See RDO bares 'mental baggage' led to Bowles exit from TNT]
Pingris said some TNT players revealed to him the import’s issues with the Texters.
“Sabi sa akin, parang attitude problem daw,” Pingris said. “Parang inaaway niya daw yung mga teammate niya. Yun ang sabi sa akin kanina. Tinanong ko bakit naman ganun. Hindi rin daw nila alam eh."
“Muntik daw nagkasuntukan, ganun,” he added of Bowles, who earlier took to social media to air his thoughts on not playing for the Star franchise anymore.
It seems the former Best Import has also had a run-in with the Texters.
Still, Pingris defended his former teammate to the end.
“Sabi ko hindi naman ganun si Denzel eh, sa pagkakakilala ko ah,” the ever-affable Pingris said.