For Gilas mainstay Marc Pingris, no one is left behind.
Star's outspoken power forward made it clear amid the exits of Calvin Abueva and L.A. Tenorio from the final lineup. He mentioned that the two will remain as vital parts of the team’s quest in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament here next week.
"Di ibig sabihin na porke wala na si Calvin at LA, di na kami maglalaro ng mabuti or di na sila part ng family. Gilas pa rin sila. Kahit yung 24 na players na part ng pool, part pa rin sila. Malay mo, next time sila na ang ma-lineup at kami naman ang wala," he said.
Head coach Tab Baldwin stressed that it was not an easy decision he made as he trims down the roster to its final 12 players.
"When you spend the time like we did, a bond is formed. When you break that bond in any way, it’s tough on everybody. Calvin and LA are close with these guys as they always have been, and they’re close to the coaching staff. We all feel the impact of that, it’s very unpleasant, but there’s just no way to cramp 14 into 12. It’s impossible," he said.
Actually, there is a glimmer of hope for Abueva and Tenorio to play for the national team, albeit a dubious one: If there are any unfortunate injuries in the coming days before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
"As the days pass and we settle to who we are as these 12, hopefully we stay healthy. But if we don’t, we know we’ve got those guys we can bring if we need to," Baldwin explains.
Pingris kept Abueva in high spirits, especially that he is the one that took the news hard.
"Kinausap ko si Calvin at ang sabi ko sa kanya, wag sya mawalan ng pag-asa. May purpose si Lord sa yo," he said. "The next time na tinawag ka ng Gilas, pumunta ka at wag ka magtampo. Ipakita mo sa kanila na talagang gusto mo maglaro."
Source: PBA
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