Pingris "blessed" to get fresh contract with Magnolia

Marc Pingris will still be a Hotshot for the next two seasons. PBA Media Group (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--When Marc Pingris injured his anterior cruciate ligament earlier this Philippine Basketball Association season, many thought the six-foot-six big man has already reached the end of the road.

But Magnolia gave the 37-year-old star with a two-year contract, which means Pingris will remain a Hotshot until the end of the 2020 season.

"In-expect ko lang na one year, and siguro pag-usapan ‘yung sa salary, ganun. Pero wala silang binago, and they gave me a two-year contract," Pingris said on Wednesday night. "Sobrang blessed lang at hindi ko in-expect na ganun ‘yung ginawa nila. So pagkatapos nung binigay sa akin ‘yung contract, talagang nag-thank you ako kila Sir Rene Pardo, Boss Alfrancis Chua, Boss Ramon Ang."

He then admitted that he got emotional when he was handed the new deal.

"Talagang eto lang ata ‘yung kontratang sinabi kong pumirma kong umiiyak. Sabi ko, ‘'Di ko ito deserved, boss eh.’ Pero ang sinabi niya sa akin, ‘No, deserved mo ‘yan.’ So talagang nagpasalamat ako at na-appreciate ko ‘yung ginawa nila sa family ko," Pingris continued.

One thing remains: When are we seeing "Ping" back?

"Yun pang 'di ko pa masabi eh," Pingris answered. "Pero siyempre kung ako tatanungin, gusto ko na kaagad."

But with how he is recuperating so far, it may be possible.

"Talagang lumalakas [yung tuhod ko] every workout. Ngayon nagshu-shootaround na ako. Nagja-jump na rin ako," Pingris continued. "Hopefully, tuloy-tuloy na ‘yun."

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