Marc Pingris sees Ian Sangalang as his heir apparent

Marc Pingris answers questions from reporters during the 2019 PBA Media Day. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Marc Pingris has always been the heart and soul of any team he’s been in be it with Gilas or with the Purefoods franchise.

His infectious energy made him a memorable figure in Philippine basketball but the power forward is pushing on in age and his body has sometimes failed to keep up with his furious heart.

Pingris is well aware of the reality that he’s not getting any younger and with him still recovering from his gruesome knee injury, the Pinoy Sakuragi believes there’s already an heir apparent to his intensity.

“I see Ian [Sangalang] as someone who will one day replace me,” said Pingris in Filipino during the PBA Media Day Thursday at Solaire Resort and Casino.

Sangalang and Pingris are still different in a way since the latter is more of a hustle player while the former is a more polished offensive player.

Pingris saw the heart in Sangalang and that his 27-year-old teammate just needs to work on those little extra curricular.

“He just needs to have a little more experience and by experience I mean he should have some sort of a mean streak because Ian’s a really kind person,” said Pingris, 37, who often shows his tenacity on the basketball court.

“But he’s a hard working guy and he can match up with players bigger than him.”