I’M BACK
Marc Pingris, seen here celebrating one of four successive championships with San Mig Coffee (now Purefoods Star Hotshots), said he will rejoin the Gilas Pilipinas National Team.
After initially begging off from joining the Gilas Pilipinas, energetic forward Marc Pingris has reconsidered his decision and will now be suiting up for the country’s popular national basketball squad that is seeking to win a berth in the 2016 Rio Olympics through the upcoming Fiba Asia Championship.
In a statement from the San Miguel Corporation that was released yesterday, Pingris said that the honor and pride that came with representing the country prevailed upon him to make the 180-degree turn from his previous decision.
It can be recalled that Pingris went to the Gilas’ practice last Saturday to relay to head coach Tab Baldwin that he will not be reprising his role as the team’s so-called “heart and soul,” citing poor health and a commitment to his mother team, the Purefoods Star Hotshots.
But that all changed yesterday.
“Despite my earlier pronouncement not to join and give others a chance to play for the country, Purefoods management has asked me to reconsider my decision. I talked to my wife and we agreed. In the end, it was pride and honor in representing the Philippines that prevailed over me,” Pingris said.
“I am grateful for management’s support and if the Philippine team still needs me, I promise to go all out for the country in the Fiba-Asia Championship as it aims to gain a slot in the Rio Olympics next year.”
Should the move be made official, Pingris will be the only player from the SMC camp on the Gilas’ roster following the withdrawals of guard LA Tenorio and the PBA’s reigning two-time MVP, Cebuano June Mar Fajardo.
Purefoods governor, Rene Pardo, said that the decision to play for the Gilas was Pingris’ decision to make.
“He (Pingris) will represent the country because he wants to. We have no control over our players’ decision when it comes to competing for the national team. We do not deny that we debate on the merits of them joining as a professional player. However, in the end representing your country is an incomparable honor. You can’t argue with that.”