Partners for so long, Marc Pingris admits it was an odd feeling not seeing James Yap on the bench when Star opened the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday.
“Actually, mahirap na okay lang naman,” he said. “Mahirap dahil nami-miss namin siya. Pero okay lang dahil nandiyan naman yung mga rookies, sila Paul (Lee). Kumbaga move on, nag-break na eh.”
After letting himself a moment to be emotional, Pingris is now looking forward to the future in an effort to forget the Hotshots’ nightmare run last season.
Unfortunately, Star was off to a losing start after yielding to defending champion San Miguel, 96-88.
Pingris said that the loss served as a good lesson for Star early in the season.
“Maganda naman yung depensa namin. Kailangan lang talagang bawasan yung turnovers kasi ang laki ng turnovers namin.”
The Hotshots turned the ball over 30 times leading to 29 turnover points for the Beermen.
Pingris said minimizing those miscues will be important for Star as it tries to rekindle its defensive identity.
“Every possession, importante. Siguro pag na-kontrol namin yung turnovers, mas malaki ang chance namin manalo,” he said.
The veteran forward also expect Paul Lee and rookie Jio Jalalon to improve overtime, which will be crucial in Star’s campaign this season.
“Masaya kami lahat sa kanila. Masasabi ko makakatulong sila sa team kahit na marami silang turnovers ngayon, pero ganoon talaga ang players lalo kapag bago ka sa team. Gusto mo magpakita agad pero hindi mo nako-control ang sarili mo,”he said. “Pero kilala natin si Paul at yung mga rookie at ang gagaling nila. Konting adjustment lang, lahat naman tayo hindi perpekto. Kapag nakapag-adjust na yun, okay na sila at gaganda na ang laro namin.”