Retired Marc Pingris welcome to hone future Gilas big men, says SBP

Will Marc Pingris remain in the basketball scene even after announcing his retirement? The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) likes to think so.

SBP special assistant to the president Ryan Gregorio said their doors would be open for the 6-foot-4 banger if he would like to help in building a stronger front court for the Gilas Pilipinas, especially come the 2023 World Cup.

"Well, sky's the limit now," Gregorio told GMA News Online. "With Ping retired in basketball and the legacy that he left as a player and a member of the Gilas Pilipinas team, he's more than welcome."

Pingris was a defensive linchpin of the nationals in the past.

The 39-year-old bruiser suited up for the national team during the 2003 Southeast Asian Games where the Filipinos took home the gold medal. He also saw action in the 2015 editions of both William Jones Cup and 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

But the son of Pozorrubio, Pangasinan is greatly remembered for his exceptional performance and display of heart in Gilas Pilipinas' game against archrival South Korea in the semifinals of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship here in the country.

His heroics led to the Philippines booking an outright ticket for the FIBA World Cup the following year in Spain.

That's why for Gregorio, it just makes sense if Pingris, a nine-time PBA champion, would help them build the next men who could follow in his footsteps.

"Coach Tab (Baldwin, SBP program director) would always tell me that Ping is an epitome of a model Gilas Pilipinas basketball player," Gregorio, who was a former mentor to Pingris, shared.

"So wherever that takes him, it will serve him in good stead. Will that be an addition or a positive component for what we're trying to do here in Gilas, the answer is yes."

Aside from what he had accomplished as a Gilas mainstay, Pingris also served as an inspiration for the younger generation after his captivating ascent from a skinny and penniless kid to a PBA legend.

This, for Gregorio, is what they badly need in building the future of Philippine basketball.

"And the reason is Ping is always a great inspiration to the younger generation," he said. "From where he came from and where he ended, in other words, the Philippine basketball in general is in a much better place today than when Marc started."

—MGP, GMA News