MARC Pingris is welcoming the early vacation after a grueling two years of almost non-stop basketball, professionally and internationally.
The Star forward and the rest of the Hotshots’ season came to a disappointing end after they lost to Alaska, 82-77, in Game Three of their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series on Sunday.
The call of national duty might beckon anew for Pingris, who has been part of the Gilas Pilipinas teams that participated in the 2013 Fiba Asia Championship and the 2014 Fiba World Cup.
That, however, is, far from Pingris mind for now.
“Hindi (ko iniisip) muna,” the national team stalwart said. “Pero pag nag-invite naman sila, it’s an honor, kasi hindi naman natin pwede iwasan ‘yan eh. Bansa yung pinag-uusapan diyan.”
“Pag hindi ako na-invite, okay lang din,” he was quick to add. “At least makakapahinga. Kasi more than two years na rin ako naglalaro eh.”
Rest is what Pingris needs after admitting his and the entire Star’s team’s hunger was a far cry from what they showed in their grand slam season, coming nowhere close to matching the Aces' energy in the Final Four.
“Para sa kanila talaga. Saludo kami sa Alaska,” Pingris said. “Ginawa talaga namin best namin, pero talagang mas gutom sila.”
The pride of Pozzorubio, Pangasinan, though, promised to be back in top form next season.
“Hindi pa kami mag-stop,” Pingris said. “Marami pa ulit kaming pag-aaralan, lalong lalo na sa depensa.”
“Next conference kailangan mag-start kami talaga ng maayos at 'yung talagang sabik at gutom na makapasok ng finals,” he added.
Source: Karlo Sacamos of Spin.ph
