Pingris refuses to get intimidated by Asik

Heated moment between Omer Asik and Marc Pingris. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

When the hulking Omer Asik got in the face of Marc Pingris in the tune-up game between the Philippines and Turkey Friday, things didn’t go all friendly.

Pingris and Asik exchanged elbows just outside the lane and the commotion escalated to a verbal confrontation when the Turkish big man got in the face of Pingris.

Despite the massive size difference with Pingris stands at 6-foot-5 and Asik at seven feet, the scrappy Filipino wouldn’t be intimidated.

“Wala akong pakialam kung sino kaharap ko, kasalanan niya so ginantihan ko,” said Pingris, who only played in the fourth quarter, on squaring off with the NBA star. “Tinamaan ako sa ilong so ginantihan ko.”

It was in the 8:04 mark of the final period when the two got into it and both were called with technical fouls.

Asik, who was riding on his fourth foul, got a free pass to the bench after the technical.

“Siniko ko, di naman sadya pero patago,” a laughing Pingris said.

Pingris then added insult to injury as he waved goodbye to Asik.

Asik, though, had the last laugh as Turkey won over the Filipinos anew, 84-76.