Marc Pingris comes out of retirement, agrees to play for Nueva Ecija in MPBL

Marc Pingris is giving his basketball career one more shot.

The 40-year old former Magnolia Hotshots forward, who announced his retirement just last May, is set to play for Nueva Ecija in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational Cup which is scheduled from December 11 to 23 later this year.

Rice Vanguards head coach Charles Tiu confirmed the development during an interview with Tiebreaker Times.

“It’s an honor to have him on our team. We are all very excited to have Pingris on board with us”, said Tiu.

“One of the greats in Philippine basketball. We’ve been planning this for a while,” added the brother of former Rain or Shine playmaker Chris Tiu.

The squad, which is owned by Palayan City Mayor Rianne Cuevas, is looking to rebuild after losing the likes of Mikey Williams, the Gomez de Liaño brothers, and Gab Banal during the extended off-season.

“He’s going to be the leader of our team. He still looks pretty good and is as competitive as ever,” stressed Tiu after the 9-time PBA champion attended the team’s first practice Wednesday morning.

“I think he will help us on the floor and also off it with his voice.”