MARC Pingris could be set for a return with Magnolia in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup a week from now after a long layoff owing to an assortment of injuries.
Coach Chito Victolero said the veteran forward might be suiting up in the Hotshots’ June 22 outing against the Phoenix Fuel Masters, his first game with the team since going down with an ACL/MCL injuries during last season’s Philippine Cup semifinals against NLEX.
Pingris initially thought he won’t be making his comeback until three weeks from now and was a bit surprised about the disclosure made by Victolero.
He doesn’t mind it of course, and understands the Magnolia coach’s plan of trying to break him in slowly to the team system.
“Gusto lang siguro ni coach na mai-line up ako para maramdaman ko na rin yung floor para di na ako manibago kasi kakapain ko pa iyan sa umpisa,” said Pingris after the Hotshots finally won one game in the conference with a 98-88 drubbing of NLEX on Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Parang rookie na naman ako. Sixteen years old ulit,” joked the 37-year-old forward.
Pingris said he has started joining five-on-five games with contact along with the rest of the Hotshots.
“Nakikipag-practice na ako for the past two weeks. Nakikipag-scrimmage na ako sa kanila,” he said.
His rehab though, is still ongoing every day for almost five hours to strengthen his legs and knees.
Recovery wasn’t easy, according to Ping.
“Gabi na ako makakauwi, kaya sore ako kinabukasan,” he said. “May araw talaga na lie down lang, Hindi 100 percent na nagpa-practice. Pero kapag walang rehab, nakikipag-banggaan talaga ako. And pag walang rehab, sa bahay ako nagwo-wrokout.”
Pingris could only thank his family and Magnolia management for keeping their faith in him despite the long layoff.
“Gusto ko lang talagang pasalamatan yung wife ko (Danica). Kasi di ba talagang patient. Minsan umuuwi ako pagod ako, mainit ulo ko, Hindi nakakapag-laro sa mga bata. Pero lagging patient yan,” he said.
“Tsaka siyempre patience din ng mga boss, mga coaches, mga teammates ko.”
Pingris may look cool just sitting on the end of the Magnolia bench and cheering on his teammates every game.
But deep inside is the long desire to get back on the court and playing Magnolia’s brand of basketball again.
“More than a year kaya sobrang hard work talaga yung ginagawa ko kasi gusto ko na talagang maglaro,” said Pingris.
“Nakaka-miss na ring maglaro.”
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