Pingris delivers on promise

MANILA, Philippines – Marc Pingris walked the talk when he delivered on his promise to win Game Seven.

After losing Game Six, the 6-6 forward told reporters, “Hindi na nila makukuha sa amin (Brgy. Ginebra) yan.”

Pingris, who turned from life of the party to dead serious in Tuesday’s practice, anchored the teams’ defense as his teammates Rafi Reavis, James Yap and PJ Simon took turns in scorching the Kings to book a return trip to the PBA Finals with a 110-87 victory on Wednesday night.

The pride of Pozzorubio, Pangasinan filled up the stats sheet with eight points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and four blocks including a phenomenal swat on a Mark Caguioa short stab attempt in the first half.

“Talagang short lang kami nung Game 6,” Pingris told Philstar.com.

“Kumbaga last game, buhos na lang lahat. Nagpapasalamat ako na naging kakampi ko sila dahil nakarating kami ulit dito from 0-6 [start],” Pingris added.

Yap scored 30 points while Simon and Reavis contributed 28 and 15, respectively. 

But more than the energy and phenomenal shooting of his teammates, Pingris pointed to their experience as the key to clinching their second straight Finals appearance and fourth in the last two years.

“Napakaling tulong yung experience namin. Kasi kahit nung humahabol sila, hindi kami nataranta kahit nagsisigawan na ang mga fans nila,” Pingris said.

With barely 48 hours between their gruelling series against Brgy. Ginebra and Game One of the Finals, Pingris and the Mixers will bank on experience anew as they take on the hottest team in the league Rain or Shine this Friday.