Ian Sangalang leads Magnolia. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Marc Pingris has been sidelined with a left knee injury for over a year, but somehow, the Magnolia forward remains an invaluable piece to his team even if he’s unable to play.
In Magnolia’s must-win Game 3 of the Philippine Cup semifinals against Rain or Shine on Tuesday, Pingris turned out to be reason for his teammate Ian Sangalang’s fiery fourth quarter performance.
Sangalang, who went scoreless in the first half, unleashed 12 of his 16 points in the final frame to lead the Hotshots’ breakaway.
READ: Marc Pingris sees Ian Sangalang as his heir apparent
“I wasn’t able to do anything in the first half but I just stayed positive and it was Ping who lifted me up,” Sangalang told reporters in Filipino after an 85-74 win over the Elasto Painters at Araneta Coliseum.
“I’m so thankful and appreciative how he motivated me. I guess my game tonight was really because of Ping,” he said. “He always tells me that I’ll be able to get into my game and that I should always stay positive. He motivates me all the time.”
The 27-year-old big man, who also had 11 rebounds, actually outscored Rain or Shine in the fourth period where it scored only 11.
“It was our defense and we were really focused. We refused to give up even if they had the lead,” Sangalang said.