Several weeks after announcing his retirement as a player, Marc Pingris is hoping to return to Magnolia in a different capacity.
If given the chance, the defensive specialist would love to be part of the coaching staff of the Purefoods franchise, Pingris’ home for 16 years in the Philippine Basketball Association.
“Iyan din talaga ang gusto kong gawin sa ngayon. I hope to share my talent and ‘yung maraming natutunan ko (sa defense and rebounding),” Pingris said in an interview at the Manila Standard online show, Sports Locker.
Pingris, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year awardee and eight-time All-Defensive Team member, even recalled that he once attended a Big Man Training Camp in the United States to enhance his skills as an aggressive defender and rebounder.
Pingris said he used to provide tips to Purefoods’ newly acquired player Jack Corpuz during their team’s practice sessions until the pandemic hit, halting the league and the teams’ training.
With the coaches giving an importance of defense in the PBA, teams have begun hiring assistant coaches noted for their defensive skills.
San Miguel Beer was the first to recognize that when they hired their former player Art Dela Cruz, a noted defensive specialist during his time in the pro league.
Pingris announced his retirement on May 25 evening in a lengthy post on his social media pages in Instagram and Facebook.
While Pingris is coming off a calf injury, the 15-time All-Star said he has remained fit and would not hesitate if he would be called by Magnolia to attend their bubble session even as a practice player.
“Willing ako mag-swab test okay lang. Basta makakatulong ako sa team,” he said.
Retirement for Pingris means focusing on the family’s businesses and working on their third child with wife actress Danica, but he said he would still miss the game and one of his future plans is to join a team as part of the coaching staff.
“If it’s with Magnolia, I would be happy,” he added.
Pingris had won nine championships, including the league’s fifth Grand Slam in the 2014 season, with the Purefoods’ franchise.
