Former PBA player Rico Maierhofer recently underwent surgery on his right ACL. The operation was long overdue as it was his knee problems that practically forced the once high-flying forward to retire in 2018.
While some might say that Maierhofer’s decision to fix his lingering injury came too late, a friend of his viewed it in a more positive light as a fellow baller and family man.
But Marc Pingris also dropped sober wisdom on how injuries can really affect family life.
“’Yung tipong gusto mong tumakbo ‘pag kasama mo ‘yung family mo or anak mo, hindi mo magawa-gawa dahil putol ‘yung ACL mo. So, ‘yan good job ‘yang ginawa mo,” Pingris told Maierhofer in a vlog of PBA Motoclub uploaded on Wednesday.
“Kunwari talagang magre-retire ka na sa basketball, at least nakakatakbo ka kasama ‘yung anak mo, ite-training mo ‘yung anak mo,” he added.
The Gilas Pilipinas icon then proceeded to point out the connection between staying in shape and every hooper’s undying love for basketball.
“Sa aming mga basketball player, isang linggo lang na hindi ka maglaro ng basketball, mahirap na ‘yun. Hinahanap-hanap din namin,” Pingris bared.
It’s hard to argue against the nine-time PBA champion. After all, he and his fellow legends of the game owe a lot to the sport.
“Sa basketball, marami kaming natutunan, nabuhay namin ang family namin, ‘tsaka minahal talaga namin ‘yung basketball,” Pingris explained.
Gilas’ “puso” battle cry still lives in Pinoy Sakuragi, and it all stems from his burning passion for the game.
“’Pag hindi mo mahal ‘yung basketball, ‘pag may suweldo ka, okay lang, win or lose. Pero ‘pag mahal mo ‘yung basketball, ‘pag natatalo ka, hindi ka makakatulog kakaisip sa laro. Kahit exhibition game lang, napipikon ka,” he elaborated.
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Finally, as someone who has undergone two ACL surgeries, Pingris gave Maierhofer a tough but important reminder regarding his road to recovery.
“’Pag na-injury ka, naoperahan ka, at bumalik ka, hindi problema ang conditioning. Ang problema ‘yung timing, ‘yung basic (movements) na naman, mga footwork,” said the three-time PBA Defensive Player of the Year.
“Sa practice na, sa (higher) level, iba ‘yung ginagawa doon. Hindi ganoon kadali,” he stressed.