THROUGH the years, Purefoods, a proud team which entered the league in 1988, has produced some of the best big men who played in the PBA.
Alvin Patrimonio stood out as the best player the franchise had seen. A league Hall of Famer and member of the 40 Greatest Players in the PBA, The Captain had won five championships, captured four Most Valuable Player awards and became the ultimate Ambassador of the league after Robert Jaworski.
When Patrimonio retired, he passed the baton to Kerby Raymundo, a 6-foot-6 versatile big man who won three championships with the franchise.
Then came Marc Pingris, a defensive master who became an All-Defensive team member several times.
Mr. Pingris is not your typical star player who would get the points, but he’s willing to do the dirty job — getting the rebounds, defending the opposing team’s best players and providing boundless energy that made him endeared to fans.
But the veteran, 6-foot-5 player from Pangasinan knows he won’t have many more chances left and he has to pass the responsibility to a younger player who would become the next most important big man in the franchise.
He has found one in Ian Sangalang, a 6-foot-6 lefty from Pampanga who already won four championships with the franchise, including the last grand slam in 2014.
“Ian Sangalang is stepping up every game. I think he’ll be the next most important big men just like Alvin Patrimonio, Kerby Raymundo or myself. I know, after me and Rafi Reavis retire, he would be the most important big man of the squad,” Mr. Pingris told BusinessWorld in an interview.
As vocal as he is, Mr. Pingris made sure he’ll be every step of the way on the development of Mr. Sangalang.
“I want to make sure I’ll give him pointers. I see his improvement game by game and during practice,” added Mr. Pingris.
For Mr. Sangalang, being guided by Mr. Pingris is a pleasure and an honor, but refused to get carried over by his more illustrious teammate’s praise.
“I don’t think about that but I’m ready to step up every game. If ever there’s somebody not playing, I’m doing the best I can to fill up his absence. I need to step up, that’s all. We need to win,” said Mr. Sangalang.
“But Kuya Ping is very vocal. Inside the court, during the game or practice, he tells me a lot of things. I’m listening because he’s a veteran. It’s always a pleasure to have someone like him on my side.” — Rey Joble
