Bringing honor to country

For former Gilas player Marc Pingris, wearing the national colors was never about money or a contract or any kind of incentive. “Masali lang sa 25-man pool, masaya na ako,” said Pingris who saw action with Gilas at the 2014 FIBA World Cup and collected a pair of FIBA Asia Cup silvers. “Kami ni Ranidel (de Ocampo), wala kaming inisip kung ‘di to bring honor to our country, ‘yun lang. Wala kaming sweldo sa Gilas at maliit na allowance lang sa practice.”

Pingris, now 44, will always cherish his Gilas memories. Even before turning pro in 2004, he had already played for the Philippines, claiming a gold at the SEA Games the year before. Pingris said in France where his father is from, a call-up to the national team is non-negotiable. “Kung tinawag ka at ayaw mo maglaro na walang dahilan na excusable, tanggal ang lisensya mo,” he said. Pingris said the rule had no exception so it included NBA players like Tony Parker. That’s how sacred it is to play for the national team.

Pingris was at the recent press conference announcing the partnership of MPBL and SportsPlus. MPBL founder/chairman Sen. Manny Pacquiao, SportsPlus president Andre Uy and MPBL commissioner Emmerson Oreta attended the gathering to toast the collaboration for the coming MPBL eighth season. Since retiring from the PBA in 2019, Pingris has remained active in the game through the MPBL where he plays for Biñan. Pingris’ teammates this season include blue-chip rookie Nic Cabanero and former PBA players KG Canaleta, Jason Ballesteros and Carlo Lastimosa. It’s for the love of the game, nothing else, that drives Pingris to continue playing. He also enjoys the opportunity of interacting with MPBL’s provincial fans all over the country and teaching his younger teammates how to become better. Asked about the physicality in the MPBL, Pingris said it’s nothing that he’s not used to.

For 15 years, Pingris was the PBA’s iconic Pinoy Sakuragi. He was voted among the league’s 50 Greatest Players and his resume is highlighted by nine PBA championships, two Finals MVPs and three Defensive Player of the Year awards. Pingris made a cameo reappearance in the PBA during the recent All-Star Weekend in Candon, Ilocos Sur, reuniting with De Ocampo in the Rookies/Sophomores-Juniors Blitz game.

Pingris said he’s moving his family to the South and it’s why his son Mic, 17, is transferring to La Salle Zobel. Mic played juniors basketball at FEU where Pingris saw action in the UAAP. Regarding FSAs, Pingris said he agrees with NCAA’s move to ban foreign imports. If local players improve, it’s not because of FSAs. “Sariling sikap ‘yan at ‘di dahil sa FSAs,” he noted.