Pingris feels ‘awkward’ facing Yap for first time
PBA IMAGES
After over a decade of playing together, Star’s Marc Pingris admitted he felt “awkward” going up against his longtime buddy James Yap for the first time.
“Siyempre I feel awkward ‘di ba kasi 12 years kaming magkakasama,” said Pingris after Star dealt Rain or Shine its second loss in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup with a 99-91 decision Sunday.
While many tagged the Hotshots’ win over their former poster boy an emotional one, the 6-foot-5 defensive specialist insisted it’s all part of their job.
“Talagang trabaho lang kami e. Nothing personal ‘di ba? ‘Di kami nagpepersonalan,” said the 35-year old Pingris who shared seven championships with Yap in the Purefoods franchise since 2006.
“Kasi pagdating sa court ang unang iisipin mo ‘yung team and then ‘yung family mo muna,” he explained. “Paglabas naman, nandyan na, magkakaibigan na ulit kami.”
The Pozzorubio, Pangasinan native even bared he and Yap talked before the game about their scheduled “Big Three” party, which includes Peter June Simon, they are throwing for their fans at the nearby San Juan Arena.
Pingris also stressed they have already moved on from the blockbuster offseason trade between Yap and Paul Lee.
“Alam kong happy na rin si James. Happy na rin kami sa sitwasyon niya and happy na rin kami na dumagdag si Paul Lee,” he said.
“Sabi ko nga kanina itong laro na ‘to ‘di naman against Paul Lee or James Yap dahil wala na silang patutunayan pa dahil kilala natin sila na mga magagaling silang players,” he added. Jeremiah Sevilla
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