GUESS: Which current player reminds Purefoods legends Jerry Codiñera, Rey Evangelista of themselves?

Purefoods greats Jerry Codiñera and Rey Evangelista were honored by having their jersey numbers retired by the team on Sunday.

But while they are no longer playing for the team, their legacy of hard work and interior defense remains present in the team.

In an interview with the press after the ceremony, both Codiñera and Evangelista said they were reminded of their younger selves seeing current Purefoods star Marc Pingris play for Purefoods.

"I started like parang si Pingris," Codiñera said. "Rebounder, role player."

During his prime, Codiñera was known as the "Defense Minister" for the pressure he applied while guarding opponents. Similarly, Pingris was thrice hailed as the Defensive Player of the Year and seven times named in the PBA All-Defensive Team.

"Very good role player si Ping. Sa attitude, grabe," said Codiñera, who had the chance to coach Pingris as an assistant with the Air 21 Express.

Evangelista, who was also known as a tough wing defender and role player for Purefoods, said he also sees his younger self in Pingris.

"Si Ping, nakikita ko ung dedication niya tsaka 'yung sipag niya," he said. "Kahit sa practice nga nakikita ko talaga.

"Kaibahan lang siguro, 'yung leaping ability niya talagang nandun, parang gifted. Pero sa working, parang nakita ko rin 'yung sarili ko na trabaho lang talaga," he added.

Codiñera played 12 years wearing a Purefoods jersey, from 1988 to 1999, before getting traded to Mobiline Phone Pals. Evangelista, meanwhile, played for Purefoods for his entire PBA career of 15 years before retiring in 2009. — JST, GMA News