Working with a depleted frontline since Ian Sangalang went down with an ACL injury early in the conference, Purefoods got much needed help with the entry of Mick Pennisi in their lineup.
And for Marc Pingris, he couldn’t be happier with the Hotshots landing the 6-foot-9 gunslinger.
“Masaya ako na andito na si Mick,” he said.
Pingris was one of those guys who have been working double time with the team’s manpower-deficient bigs rotation, alongside Rafi Reavis and Yousef Taha.
With Pennisi’s arrival, coach Tim Cone will have a surefire veteran who knows how to hold his own down low against the other teams’ big men.
“Hindi sya mahirap pakisamahan,” Pingris said. “Nung pumasok sya, sya talaga ang kumakausap sa amin. Parang ang tagal na nya sa team namin.”
He added, “Natutuwa din si coach kasi nakikipagcommunicate sya sa depensa. Di lumalayo yung focus ni Mick kanina sa depensa.”
The entry of Pennisi couldn’t be more timely for Purefoods, with the Hotshots facing a twice-to-win disadvantage in their hopes of defending their Philippine Cup crown.
But Pingris knows that everything starts with hard work.
“I believe na pag nagpractice ka ng 100 percent, binibigay mo lahat, madadala mo sa laro yun eh. Kaya ang mindset sa practice, parang nasa Finals na kami para andun yung focus ng team.” (RL)
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