Marc Pingris a soldier on and off the court, says Ryan Gregorio

Marc Pingris may have formally stepped away from the hardcourt but there are those who are still celebrating the legend that is "Pinoy Sakuragi."

Take his former coach, Ryan Gregorio, for example.

A "consummate soldier" was how Gregorio, who guided Pingris back in their days in the Purefoods franchise, would describe the 6-foot-4 banger who recently announced his retirement after 16 years of competitive basketball.

Gregorio said that Pingris worked his way up from a lanky and penniless guy from Pozorrubio, Pangasinan to a PBA legend who bagged nine championships, two Finals MVPs, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and a lot more.

"The biggest inspiration really is a guy from Pangasinan who really was not born rich but had to struggle and find ways to use the basketball platform as his ticket out of poverty," Gregorio, now an official of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, told GMA News Online.

"And when people would say that things can't be done, Marc Pingris would say, 'ako na bahala dyan, coach.'"

Gregorio and Pingris have formed a bond so real that it transcends that of a player-coach relationship.

Pingris first joined Purefoods Chunkee Giants (now Magnolia) in 2005 and in the following year, he helped the team snare the 2006 Philippine Cup title against Red bull while also being named the Finals MVP. However, they shortly parted ways after Pingris was shipped away to Magnolia Beverage Masters (now known as San Miguel Beermen).

But fate found its way.

The two were reunited after Pingris was traded back to the franchise just before the start of the 2009-2010 season, where they would win the Philippine Cup.

"For some people, when you get traded, there is animosity but with Ping, I just told him that it was just a basketball decision," Gregorio recalled.

"True enough, when I asked the management to trade him back in 2010, he was ready to heed a call to go back to Purefoods and we won a championship."

Gregorio also shared that being a mentor to Pingris was not easy as it seemed since the big man could not control his temper at first but thanks to him, the charismatic forward has learned to keep his cool on the court.

"When I acquired him in 2005, I got a player who was basically a live wire—he could not control his emotions and he would easily get into a fight," Gregorio said.

"But my message to him then was just to channel your raw emotions into a positive energy and just focus on three things that you're good at."

Pingris has left behind a stellar legacy.

Aside from nine championships and a handful of personal accolades, the 39-year-old bruiser was also recognized for his unparalleled service to the flag after having played for the Gilas Pilipinas many times in the past.

And Gregorio said he's just one of many people who would always remember what Pingris has done for the Philippine basketball.

"The Philippine basketball in general is in a much better place today than when Marc started," he said.

—MGP, GMA News