MARC Pingris may be out for the season for Magnolia with a torn ACL, but even a season-ending injury won’t stop him from making an impact for the Hotshots.
From being Magnolia’s leader on the court, Pingris turned into the team's number one cheerleader on the sidelines as the Hotshots pulled the upset rug on the San Miguel Beermen, 105-103, in Game One of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Not even his injured knee kept Pingris from getting rowdy, as he willed his squad on, cheering with the fans every chance he gets while giving words of motivation to his teammates.
For the energetic forward, that's the least he can do for his team.
"Sobrang hirap na hirap na ako. Kumikirot na. Kahit papaano makasigaw man lang. Yun lang ang maitutulong ko sa ngayon. Pray lang at sigaw sigaw. Yung suporta naman malaking bagay sa team yun," said Pingris.
Pingris said that his faith with his squad never wavered even when they trailed the Beermen by 20 points midway through the third. He knew that defensively, they can hang tough with San Miguel, leading to that huge fightback.
"Andun parin yung tiwala namin sa kanila. Sinabi ni coach na 'Bakit tayo andito? Dahil sa depensa natin'. Yung defense namin kanina, nakabawi kami doon. Andun ang puso nila na gusto nila manalo," he said.
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