Marc Pingris
Pingris in 2014
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 15 – Biñan Tatak Gel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | October 16, 1981 Pozorrubio, Pangasinan, Philippines |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | Filipino | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College | PSBA FEU |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PBA Draft | 2004 Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selected by the FedEx Express | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 2002–2019, 2023–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coaching career | 2022–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| League | MPBL / PSL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As player: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Cebu Gems | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2005 | FedEx Express | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2008 | Purefoods Chunkee Giants / Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2009 | Magnolia Beverage Masters / San Miguel Beermen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2019 | Purefoods / B-Meg / San Mig Coffee / Star / Magnolia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Imus SV Squad | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023–present | Biñan Tatak Gel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As coach: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Philippines (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Medals
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jean Marc Prado Pingris Jr. (born October 16, 1981) is a Filipino professional basketball player. Many people think he is one of the best players in the history of Philippine basketball. He was even named one of the Philippine Basketball Association's 40 Greatest Players.
Pingris is famous for his amazing defense. He played for 14 years with the team known as Purefoods (and its other names). He, along with his teammates James Yap and Peter June Simon, led the team to win four championships in a row. They even won a rare PBA Grand Slam in 2014, which means they won all three PBA tournaments in one year.
He also played for the Philippine national team, Gilas Pilipinas. He was a key player when the team won a silver medal at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship. This victory allowed the team to compete in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Contents
From a Young Fan to a Rising Star
Marc Pingris was born on October 16, 1981, in Pozorrubio, Pangasinan. When he was a young boy, his father left the family to work in Morocco.
Growing up, Pingris was a huge fan of the basketball legend Michael Jordan. After finishing his homework, he would rush to the local court to practice his basketball skills, trying to play just like his idol. He loved the game so much that he would play with his friends in different neighborhoods.
In high school, he tried out for the school team but didn't make it at first. He didn't give up and was accepted to the team in his second year. Later, in college, he played for the Philippine School of Business Administration. But it was at Far Eastern University that people really started to notice his talent.
Life was not always easy for Pingris. He struggled with money and sometimes couldn't even afford his own meals. He promised himself that one day he would work hard enough to enjoy a good meal. Before joining the big leagues, he played for teams like the Cebu Gems and Welcoat Paints.
A Career in the PBA
In the 2004 PBA draft, Pingris was chosen as the third overall pick by the FedEx Express team. This was a huge step in his dream to become a professional player.
Joining the Purefoods Team
After playing only a few games for FedEx, Pingris was traded to the Purefoods team. This move turned out to be a great one for him. In the 2005–06 PBA season, he helped Purefoods win the championship and was named the Finals MVP (Most Valuable Player).
He became known for his incredible ability to grab rebounds. In one finals game, he got 21 rebounds! This earned him the nickname "the rebounding demon."
A Quick Stop at San Miguel
In 2008, Pingris was traded to the Magnolia Beverage Masters (now known as the San Miguel Beermen). This happened because Purefoods needed a different type of player at the time. He played for them for about a year before another big trade happened.
Return to Purefoods
In 2009, Pingris was traded to a team called Burger King. But just one day later, he was traded back to his old team, Purefoods! The team really wanted him back and made a deal to get him.
His return was a huge success. He became a key part of the team, which was later called B-Meg and then San Mig Coffee Mixers. His hard work and exciting style of play earned him another nickname: "Pinoy Sakuragi," after a character from a popular basketball anime.
With Pingris on the team, the Mixers won many championships, including the famous Grand Slam in the 2013–14 season.
Retirement and Comeback
After a long and successful career, Pingris announced his retirement from the PBA in May 2021. To honor his amazing career, the Magnolia Hotshots retired his jersey number, 15. This means no other player on the team can wear that number.
But his love for basketball didn't end there. In 2023, Pingris decided to come out of retirement. He signed a contract to play for the Imus SV Squad in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
Life Off the Court
Pingris is married to actress Danica Sotto, the daughter of famous entertainers Vic Sotto and Dina Bonnevie. They have three children: a son, Jean Michael, a daughter, Anielle Micaela, and their youngest son, Jean Luc, born in 2023.
His favorite anime is Slam Dunk, and his favorite character is Hanamichi Sakuragi. This is why fans and friends often call him "Sakuragi."
In 2022, Pingris took on a new role as the commissioner of the Pilipinas Super League, a new basketball league. This job allows him to help manage and grow the sport he loves.
