Marc Pingris: San Mig Super Coffee's super role player
The lights were still dimmed inside the Smart-Araneta Coliseum when Marc Pingris walked in. He was one of the few players on the floor two hours before Game 7 of their semifinals series against the Barangay Ginebra Kings.
In the last game, Pingris tried to carry the Mixers’ offense in the fourth quarter. He took on an array of Ginebra big men and scored at will but the rest of his teammates failed to back him up.
Pingris walked onto the wooden floor, which was without superstars. Mark Caguioa and James Yap, the most popular players on both sides were still in the dugout. For San Mig Super Coffee fans, Pingris is worthy of the superstar status. But for the humble player from Pangasinan, he’s just like everyone else on the floor at that time, just like rookies JR Cawaling and Ian Sangalang, not much different from Mark Barroca or Alex Mallari.
While other players got some shots up, Pingris wanted to practice his defense. He asked Barroca and Mallari, two of the shiftiest guards in their lineup, to try and score on him. For minutes, the two guards alternated in going one-on-one against Pingris. They made some shots, missed on most, and Pingris pumped his fists every single time he completed a stop. The three were joking around, teasing each other while trying to break a sweat. The guards laughed when they made baskets, Pingris talked trash when he got blocks.
When it was time to go back to the dugout, Pingris stopped near the free throw line and pointed to the sky. When he looked back down, his stare was different. He was done playing games with the kids. He walked out carrying the same look he had in Game 7 of the Governors’ Cup finals against the Petron Blaze Boosters.
Pingris totaled eight points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, four blocks, and a partridge in a pear tree. His stats were loaded but he did much more than just that in the floor.
“Bonus lang talaga sa akin ang score e,” Pingris said after the game. “Ang importante talaga sa akin yung depensa.”
Pingris was spent after playing a game-high 41 minutes. He tried to catch his breath with ice wrapped around both his weary legs. All of the other Mixers already found their way out of the dugout. Only Pingris, James Yap, and PJ Simon were left.
In the game, Pingris watched in awe along with the San Mig Super Coffee planet as Yap and PJ went on a scoring spree. After being the focal point on offense in Game 6, Pingris gladly took a step back in Game 7.
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“Nung last game, naka-score nga ako pero yung depensa kulang kaya natalo kami," he said. “Mas nabibigyan ko kasi ng energy yung mga kasama ko pag maganda yung depensa ko.”
Pingris started the game by guarding Ginebra’s point guard LA Tenorio. He also exploded for two highlight blocks in the first half that gave the Mixers a huge boost. With Pingris taking care of everything else, Yap and Simon combined to score 58 points in the game.
“Nung nakita kong nag-init si James and si PJ, di na ako nakialam,” Pingris explained. “Nag-focus ako sa depensa at sa rebound. Yung kasi yung pinaka-crucial."
By focusing on defense, Pingris meant guarding absolutely anyone in the Ginebra lineup. He started with Tenorio but also had battles with Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, and Jay-R Reyes.
Pingris should have no business keeping in step with Tenorio but he does it anyway. Pingris should not physically handle Slaughter but he does it anyway. Pingris should not be able to get rebounds or get off shots against the physically superior Aguilar, but again he does this anyway. What Pingris did that night, what he does on a daily basis, is beyond explanation. Pingris studies the players he defends. He tries to learn their habits and force them to mistakes. But for his opponent's physical edge, Pingris could only point to his chest as is advantage.
“Puso lang siguro. Pinaghandaan ko rin naman yan e. Mas gusto ko talaga dumepensa e,” Pingris said. “Kung anong pinapagawa sa akin ni coach Tim [Cone], lahat nun challenge sa akin.”
Pingris has come a long way from being a raw but energetic rookie from the FedEx Express. During his formative years in the PBA, he was trained by another Purefoods great in Jerry Codinera. The Defense Minister took it upon himself to be Pingris’ mentor on defense it ultimately bore fruit for the franchise as the forward has turned into the Mixers’ Navy, Army, and Air Force all in one.
When Pingris walked out of the dugout, he was met with loud cheers from his adoring fans. There is no doubt that he is well loved but he still doesn’t consider himself as a superstar.
“Di ko iniisip yun. Isa akong role player lang,” Pingris said. “Pinapakita ko lang kung gaano ko kamahal yung basketball. Yun lang ang puhunan ko diyan.”
