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Marc Pingris announces retirement at 39
"Pinoy Sakuragi" is hanging up his jersey.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Marc Pingris of Magnolia announced that he is retiring from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after 16 years of competitive hoops.
"I remember my name being called during the 2004 PBA Draft. Doon nagsimulang matupad ang pangarap ng isang batang palengke. 16 years na din ako sa PBA pero alam ko na ngayon na din ang tamang panahon para umpisahan ang bagong chapter ng buhay ko," he said in an Instagram post Tuesday night.
("That's when the dreams of a child market vendor started to come true. I've been in the PBA for 16 years but I know that now is the right time to start a new chapter in my life.")
"I want to thank everyone na naniwala at sumuporta sa 'kin, sa mama ko na inspiration ko, sa ate and kuya ko na nagdisiplina sa 'kin, at lahat ng relatives ko," he added.
("I want to thank everyone who believed in me and supported me, to my mom who is my inspiration, my sister and brother who disciplined me, and all my relatives.")
Pingris, 39, will be leaving behind an illustrious legacy.
He was drafted third overall by FedEx Express in 2004 and played for the franchise for a year before being involved in a trade that sent him to Purefoods, playing there from 2005 to 2008. He then got shipped to Magnolia (now known as San Miguel Beer), where he suited up for only a year.
Then he found himself back at the Purefoods camp.
With the storied franchise, the 6-foot-4 banger won a couple of championships and as well as individual awards that placed him in the upper echelon of PBA legends.
Overall, the proud son of Pozorrubio, Pangasinan has collected nine PBA titles including a rare grand slam in 2014 under the tutelage of Tim Cone. He also has two Finals MVP plums, three PBA Defensive of the Year awards, and was an eight-time member of the PBA All-Defensive Team.
Pingris, who formed a lethal troika with James Yap and now-retired PJ Simon, has also made it to the PBA 40 Greatest Players. Aside from his colorful PBA run, Pingris was also an essential part of Gilas Pilipinas.
He helped the country in overcoming archrival South Korea during the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship that earned the Philippines an outright berth for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
In a previous interview with GMA News Online, Pingris said he's ready to give way to Calvin Abueva, who recently joined Magnolia in a trade that also involved Chris Banchero.
"It has been a glorious 16 years, #pinoysakuragi15signingoff," he said.
Thank you, Ping!
—Bea Micaller/MGP, GMA News
