SUDDENLY, Marc Pingris’ status for Game Five of the PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup Finals is in doubt.
Pingris showed up for practice but didn't join the rest of the Mixers in the drills on Saturday, saying he isn’t sure if he’ll be able to play on Sunday when the best-of-seven titles series against Rain or Shine resumes at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Accompanied by team physician Dr. Raffy Sanchez, Pingris’ presence buoyed up the morale of the team although the power forward decided not to suit up to rest his right eye after having it checked by a specialist at the Philippine General Hospital.
Pingris was accidentally poked in the eye by Rain or Shine big man JR Quinahan during a rebound play in Game Four on Friday night.
Sanchez initially said Pingris would be able to suit up for the team the following game.
“Nagluluha pa rin yung kanang mata ko,” said Pingris, when asked how he was doing by Spin.ph. “Na-scratch kasi yung mata ko kaya may sugat. Saka naka-pikit lang ako madalas.”
The 6-foot-5 power-playing national player left Game Four for good in the 4:59 mark of the third period after seeing nothing but “darkness” for several minutes shortly after the incident.
“Nung tinamaan ako sa mata, hinawakan ko agad siya tapos nung dumilat ako, madilim lahat. Akala ko nga nabulag na ako,” shared the 32-year-old native of Pozzorubio, Pangasinan.
Pingris remains unsure if he could play when the Mixers shoot for their 11th league championship since joining the league in 1988.
The Mixers lead the series, 3-1.
San Mig physical therapist Arcee Cua said Pingris is a doubtful starter come Sunday, since the star player is still suffering from a case of “photo-phobia."
“Fifty-fifty pa si Ping kasi medyo blurry pa yung vision niya. Sabi rin ni doc, may term siyang tinatawag na photo-phobia, ibig sabihin masyado pa siyang nasisilaw sa liwanag dahil nakapikit lang kasi siya,” Cua said after the Mixers’ practice.
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