Marc Pingris. PHOTO by Bong Lozada
MANILA, Philippines—From a hardcourt warrior to the warriors in the battlefront.
Marc Pingris, the workhorse of the Purefoods Star Hotshots and the Gilas Pilipinas, for their Friday game against Blackwater wore a simple tribute for the 44 commandos of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force.
“Heroes 44” was emblazoned on the front while on the back it showed a picture of him on a salute and “Salute Heroes 44” below it.
Pingris said that it was his simple way of showing condolences to the family and for the immense sacrifice that the 44 commandos did for the Philippines.
“I just want to thank them for what they have done for our country,” Pingris said after his team won against Blackwater 98-86. “They sacrificed their lives for us.”
“This is also for the families. I hope they are watching the PBA. This is my way of saying my condolences to them.”
Pingris added that he watched clips of the commandos before going to the game.
“This game and all the games before are for them,” Pingris said.
Purefoods played their first game of the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Jan. 30, five days after the horrific incident in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.