Marc Pingris’ Star Hotshots teammates believe that the return of the veteran forward will not disrupt the team’s chemistry in the Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup where they are currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of four games.
For swingman Allein Maliksi, Pingris’ leadership will be a big factor as they make their push for the playoffs.
“Si Ping naman leader ng team namin. Hindi malaking problem. I don’t think makakagulo siya kapag pumasok siya sa team kasi alam naman niya role niya. Hindi naman siya matakaw sa tira, sa opensa, kasi defense talaga si Ping. Isang malaking asset si Ping pagbalik niya sa amin,” Maliksi told InterAksyon
It will just be a matter of time before Pingris, who returned to action last Wednesday after being sidelined with a hip injury for six months, integrates himself back into the team, according to Aldrech Ramos.
“OK naman na si Ping. Ilang days na siyang nakakasama sa practice. Then, nakapaglaro naman na siya kahit saglit. Little by little. Beterano na naman si Kuya Ping eh. Matagal na siya sa Purefoods. Alam mniya kung kelan siya dapat pumasok,” he said.
Mark Barroca, who was with Pingris during the five-championship run they had under Tim Cone, said that while Pingris is not yet 100 percent, he believes that the many-time All-Defensive Player will make a valuable contribution on the defense.
“Malakas kami kapag kumpleto kami. Dati pa yan, kahit nung kay coach Tim. Kapag kulang kami kinakapos kami. Pero kapag kumpleto kami kahit hindi lahat umiiskor, andun yung ibang mga players na naglalaro ng ilang minutes lang pero nakaka-stop, nakaka-rebound, gaya ni Ping, maganda takbo ng team namin,” said Barroca.
“Maganda si Ping na makabalik kaagad. Kasi nga yung mga import hindi naman kalakihan, so puwede siyang maka-match up. Alam naman natin si Ping, defensive player yan. Kaya Masaya kami nakabalik siya padahan-dahan. Si Ping naman hindi bumalik yan na zero. Kahit masakit hip niyan nagpapakundisyon yan. Kahit sabihin mong pahinga siya, nagpapakundisyon yan.”
