In a world where social media outrage often fuels drama, Marc Pingris once again showed why he isn’t just one of the most beloved PBA players of all time—but also one of the most dignified.
Recently, the legendary defensive anchor was caught in the middle of another online debate after former PBA player Joseph Yeo remarked in a video that Ranidel de Ocampo deserved to be on the PBA’s 50 Greatest Players list more than Pingris. “Marc Pingris, never nag-average ng double digits sa buong buhay niya,” said Yeo, downplaying Pingris’ statistical production. It didn’t take long for this to trigger a flurry of heated comments from fans—many defending Pingris, while others reignited long-running debates about the criteria used to define greatness.
What could’ve easily turned into a bitter exchange was instead met with grace by the 43-year-old, nine-time PBA champion. Speaking in an episode of the No Cooking Show podcast, Pingris calmly addressed the criticism—not with anger, but with understanding.
“May kanya-kanyang opinion tayo,” he said. “Kung pananaw niya ‘yon, sa kanya na ‘yon.”
It’s a simple statement, but it reflects the kind of person Pingris is. This wasn’t just a show of class—it was a man choosing peace over pride. Instead of fueling the fire, Pingris reached out to his former teammates at the PBA Motoclub, including Yeo, Rico Maierhofer, and Jayjay Helterbrand. He sought clarity, not conflict. He didn’t deny past misunderstandings with them, either—he was honest about the falling out and how it affected their friendship. But more than that, he chose to heal those wounds rather than reopen them.
And that’s the bigger story here.
Too often, athletes are measured solely by numbers—points per game, shooting percentages, accolades. And yes, Ranidel de Ocampo was a brilliant offensive player and certainly has a case for belonging in that elite list. But Marc Pingris? His greatness goes beyond what’s written on the stat sheet.
He was never meant to be the flashy scorer. His value came from the gritty, thankless work: the hustle, the rebounds, the defense, the intangibles. He was Gilas Pilipinas’ iron man—the heart of the team who guarded all five positions, who inspired a nation with his hustle plays, who shed tears in victory and defeat, and who played with the same passion whether he scored two points or twenty.
The humility he showed in this interview is exactly the same humility he displayed on the court—never demanding attention, always giving his all for the team.
You don’t have to rank Pingris higher than De Ocampo. You can debate offense vs. defense, stats vs. impact. But what you can’t do is erase the legacy that Marc Pingris has already cemented. You can’t deny what he meant to the game, to his teammates, and to Filipino basketball fans.
And you certainly can’t remove him from the PBA’s 50 Greatest Players—not anymore. His name is etched not just in the list, but in the very soul of the league.
Comments
Post a Comment