MANILA – Magnolia Hotshots veteran Jean Marc Pingris was saddened not to join his squad in the restart of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup on October 11 at the Angeles University Foundation Gym in Clark, Pampanga.
The former Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team forward was left out from the Hotshots’ 15-man roster for the PBA bubble after sustaining a foot injury during the resumption of practices.
“Iniyakan ko ito. Ang hirap tanggapin pero wala tayong magagawa. Gusto ko pa namang ma-experience maglaro sa bubble,” Pingris said in an interview with PBA Rush on Tuesday.
“Hindi rin naman kasi ako makakalaro dahil nga na-injure ako nung ensayo sa paa. Ang problem lang, hindi ka rin puwedeng humabol dahil bawal na pumasok at lumabas sa bubble,” he added.
“Sobrang nanghihinayang ako kasi pinaghandaan ko ito nung off season at saka nung habang walang mga laro. Bumili pa ako ng sarili kong thread mill at saka mga ibang gamit sa gym para maghanda,” he further said.
With him relegated to just an observer outside of the bubble, Pingris has vowed to connect with his teammates often, particularly the big men of the Hotshots.
“Tinututukan ko kasi ‘yung mga big men. Lagi kaming nag-uusap kung anong mga dapat gawin,” Pingris said. “Parati ko pa rin silang kakausapin at saka plano ko dalhan sila ng pagkain, pero hanggang gate lang kami. Papaabot ko na lang.”/PN
