Veteran Magnolia player Jean Marc Pingris still sits on the sidelines in the PBA Philippine Cup and his return to action remains uncertain.
“I was told by my doctor that I might be able to play already by March, but everything depends on my condition, I want to play already, but I need to follow the doctor,” said Pingris.
Ten months ago, while playing in the quarterfinals against NLEX, Pingris, the 2004 Philippine Cup MVP, suffered an ACL injury and had to undergo surgery forcing him to miss his team’s PBA championship late last year. At the age of 37 and with 14 years spent in the play-for-pay professional league, Pingris understands and accepts that his role will not be the same dominant one he used to play when he finally returns to action.
“At my age now, I believe my role is to help guide the younger players on the team inside and help them develop their skills, and even outside the court particularly in preparing their financial future, “ explained Pingris, who is living up to what he is preaching in terms of providing for himself and his family beyond his PBA days.
Pingris is already a glass and aluminum dealer/supplier and joins in bidding wars to get building contracts. At the same time, he has put up a poultry farm in Cuyapo, Nueva, Ecija in preparation for his future.
At the present, he thinks Ginebra with a complete line-up will be the team to beat in the All-Filipino together with San Miguel Beer, but added not to count his team out, especially once he rejoins them.