Marc Pingris announced on Wednesday that he would finally be available to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas.
Pingris had recently withdrawn himself from the national pool, informing head coach Tab Baldwin of his decision last Saturday.
But the Star Hotshots’ energetic forward, who was among the key players’ in the Philippines’ historic run in the 2013 Fiba Asia Championships, has reconsidered.
“Despite my earlier pronouncement not to join and give others a chance to play for the country, Purefoods management has asked me to reconsider my decision. I talked to my wife and we agreed. In the end, it was pride and honor in representing the Philippines that prevailed over me,” Pingris said in a statement from SMC.
“I am grateful for management’s support and if the Philippine team still needs me, I promise to go all out for the country in the Fiba-Asia Championship as it aims to gain a slot in the Rio Olympics next year,” Pingris added.
Pingris showed up in the national team practice last Saturday at Meralco Gym and was reportedly in tears as he met with Baldwin and his former Gilas teammates.
“Coach understood me. I love Gilas but there’s just some things that are beyond our control,” Pingris told reporters after he made his withdrawal official.
In the same statement, Hotshots Governor Rene Pardo said that San Miguel Corp. has no say over its players’ decision on whether they would join the national team or not.
“He (Pingris) will represent the country because he wants to. We have no control over our players’ decision when it comes to competing for the national team. We do not deny that we debate on the merits of them joining as a professional player. However, in the end representing your country is an incomparable honor. You can’t argue with that,” Star Hotshots team governor Rene Pardo said.
Ginebra’s LA Tenorio and San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo have both begged off of Gilas duties citing injuries and dip in form.
The Nationals are at the tip of their week-long trip in Europe that includes exhibition games against countries like Netherlands, Iceland and Estonia. CFC
Source: Mark Giongco of Inquirer.net
