Doc guarantees Pingris to play in Game 5

MANILA, Philippines – San Mig Super Coffee Mixers will welcome back Marc Pingris in Game Five when they try to win their second straight championship on Sunday.

The Mixers’ team physician Raffy Sanchez guaranteed that Pingris will still be able to play in the next game despite sustaining an eye injury in Game Four.

“He suffered a scratch on his right cornea. He was given anesthesia and antibiotics but in 24 hours, he will be okay,” Sanchez told reporters as Pingris hurriedly left the Smart-Araneta Coliseum right after the Mixers’ huge 93-90 win that moved them one win away from a second straight PBA title.

Cone took Pingris out for good with a little over five minutes gone by in the third canto after he was accidentally poked in the eye by Rain or Shine burly center JR Quinahan.

The team’s medical staff had to put a patch on Pingris’ right eye to keep it from bleeding.

Rain or Shine took advantage of Pingris’ exit as the Elasto Painters overhauled a 10-point halftime deficit and took a six-point lead, 76-70, going into the fourth quarter.

Despite the injury he sustained, the hardworking forward still opted to stay behind to support his team and watched them claw back from a six-point deficit to hack out another close win.  Sanchez had him checked up by his niece, who is an ophthalmologist, in the locker room.

“[There’s] nothing really serious. It’s just an abrasion. It’s too annoying, it’s too painful but in 24 hours, he’ll be fine,” Sanchez assured the media.

“If he’s still not okay by tomorrow, we will put a contact lens tomorrow [today] just to expedite the healing process,” Sanchez added.

The doctor also noted that Pingris can practice with the team today if he feels better.

Pingris tallied six points and six boards with three assists before leaving the game.