By WAYLON GALVEZ
Manila, Philippines – Marc Pingris has only 10 days to rest before rejoining the Gilas Pilipinas national team. And he plans to make full use of it beginning with a trip to Pangasinan to visit his mother, Erlinda Prado.
Pingris will spend three days with his mother before bringing wife Danica Sotto and children Mic, 6, and Caela, 3, to Malaysia.
“Maikli lang ang bakasyon ko, pero sulit na sakin basta kasama ko ang pamilya,” said Pingris, a key member of the San Mig Coffee squad that completed a rare grand slam in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Pingris, 32, said he hopes to return to training after his brief vacation.
The 6-5 power forward played a pivotal role when the Nationals finished second in the FIBA World Cup hosted by the country last year. He is expected to be named to the ‘Final 12’ that will play in the World Cup in Spain and the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Pingris likened San Mig Coffee’s historic feat to Smart Gilas’ silver finish in the FIBA Asia.
“Parehas lang na sobrang saya, sobrang proud na napasama ka sa teams na nakagawa ng history. History para sa bayan natin, and history para sa team namin sa PBA. Saka parehas na pinag-hirapan ‘yung mga naachieve ng Gilas Pilipinas and ng San Mig,” said Pingris.
“Ang medyo pagkaka-iba lang, nung sa Gilas Pilipinas, lahat ng Pilipino todo ang suporta sa amin. Pero pagdating sa PBA, syempre may mga supporters din ‘yung iba kaya hati. Pero ‘yung saya na dala, parehas lang,” he said.
Pingris said he hopes to make the most out of his remaining playing years.
“Habang nakapag-lalaro ako, habang binibigyan ako ng lakas ng Diyos, siguro ayos lang na lubos-lubosin ko. Kasi minsan lang naman ako nandito e, saka habang bata pa ako,” he said.
“Kasi pag nawala na ‘ko sa basketball, ‘pag dumating na ‘yung oras na pa-retire na ‘ko sa paglalaro, mami-miss ko din ‘to. Kaya hanggat kaya ng katawan ko, hanggat ok pa, lalaro ako,” added Pingris.