by Jonas Terrado
Injured Magnolia captain Marc Pingris believes it’s just a matter of time before he can pass the leadership mantle to Ian Sangalang.
Pingris is pleased that Sangalang has turned into one of the vocal leaders of the Hotshots’ current run in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against the San Miguel Beermen.
“Si Ian kasi nakikita ko na balang araw na magagawa niya rin yung mai-push mga teammates niya,” Pingris said.
Ian Sangalang of the Magnolia Hotshots goes up for a shot against Arwind Santos of San Miguel Beer. (PBA Images)
“Pero napapansin ko na kay Ian na pag may opportunity na down yung teammate niya, kinakausap niya. Nakikita ko na nahihinog na siya and hopefully tuloy-tuloy na yan.”
The past two seasons has seen Sangalang become one of the PBA’s best centers as evident with how he helped the Hotshots overcome a 0-3 start in the eliminations to reach the finals for the third time in the last four conferences.
The leadership aspect, on the other hand, is something the former San Sebastian center has embraced, knowing how his progress will be key in Magnolia’s success for the long term.
“Siyempre time na para mag-step up dahil yung team nagrerely na sa akin,” Sangalang said. “Malaki ang expectation sa akin at kailangan gampanan ko role ni Ping na ginagawa niya sa team. Kailangan kumuha ako inspirasyon sa kanila.”
Mentoring Sangalang is one of the things Pingris can only do for now since he’s still trying to complete his recovery from an ACL injury sustained in last season’s Philippine Cup semifinals.
While pleased at how his teammates have overcome multiple adversities that resulted in Wednesday’s 99-94 victory over San Miguel in Game 1, Pingris couldn’t help but being envy.
Pingris had earlier ruled himself out of playing the Philippine Cup as he wants to make sure his knee is 100 percent healed.
REFEREE SUSPENDED Meantime, the Commissioner’s Office suspended referee Sherwin Pineda and table official Carlo Santos for two games each for missing a 24-second violation on Rome dela Rosa during the crucial stage of Magnolia’s Game 7 semifinal victory last Sunday.
Pineda and Santos were penalized after Dela Rosa’s three with 3:33 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Hotshots’ 63-60 overtime win over the Elasto Painters at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Tags: Ian Sangalang , Magnolia , Marc Pingris , PBA , PBA Philippine Cup , PBA Philippine Cup finals , Philippine Cup finals , San Miguel Beer , San Miguel Beermen
