THROUGH 15 PBA seasons marked by stints with the national team, Jean Marc Pingris has seen it all and has been through it all, gaining so much basketball knowledge in the process that he intends to share to young kids at the end of his career.
Like many other players, Pingris wants to enter the world of coaching someday.
"Yes, gusto ko yan, maging coach. Dream ko yan mai-share ang mga naituro sa akin," said Pingris in a recent guesting at The Philippine STAR's Beyond the Game with The Dean webcast.
The Magnolia Hotshots' veteran forward wants to follow the footsteps of his idols Danny Ildefonso, Romel Adducul and Johnny Abarrientos.
"Etong mga ito ang tumulong sa akin. Tinuruan nila ako. At ganoon din pagkatapos ng career ko, gusto ko rin mag-share at magturo," said Pingris.
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Abarrientos, Ildefonso and Adducul, who all had had successful playing careers, turned to coaching afterwards.
Abarrientos is with Pingris at Magnolia, among the deputies of head coach Chito Victolero, Ildefonso is among the assistants of coach Jeff Cariaso at Alaska Milk while Adducul is part of the Blackwater think tank.
Though still active at 38, Pingris is realistic Father Time will catch up on him, but he doesn't see himself veering away from the sport.
He wants to give something back.
"Magshe-share ako, magtuturo ako," he insisted.
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But at the moment, he's praying that the pandemic is managed soon so that everyone can go back to old ways.
He's ready to enter the PBA concept of a gradual return to training and looking forward to the return of PBA play soon.
"Pinaguusapan namin ng mga players yan. Ready kami, pero kailangan mag-ingat," he said. (SB)
