Cariaso on Pingris playing for Blackwater: ‘He might surprise us’

When the option of getting Marc Pingris’ services as an assistant coach cropped up last September, Blackwater new coach Jeff Cariaso said the idea was to bring in the former PBA great as a big man’s coach.

Marc Pingris FIBA PHOTO 

In fact, the 51-year-old Cariaso likened Pingris’ possible role to that of current Converge assistant mentor Danny Ildefonso.

“To be honest, the idea was bring Ping in as a coach because there’s an open slot for an assistant coach, specifically for big man of our team because our small man’s coach is Mike Cortez, sort of like a Danny I, who has so much experience and understands how to be successful in the PBA, and how you need to prepare,” Cariaso confided to the Manila Times.

Ildefonso carved a name for himself as an eight-time PBA champion during his glory days with the San Miguel Beer franchise.

From there, the 6-foot-5 Ildefonso embarked on a coaching career, serving assistant at Ateneo, and later, National University in the UAAP, before joining Alaska as fellow deputy coach with Cariaso in 2017 under Alex Compton.

Both Cariaso and Ildefonso worked together at Alaska till the franchise bid goodbye to the PBA in 2022 and was eventually, sold to Converge.

Cariaso went on to serve as Converge’s transition coach during the Philippine Cup in 2022, before being replaced by Aldin Ayo shortly thereafter.

“That’s the idea,” Cariaso stressed, referring to the Bossing’s offer for Pingris to serve as big man’s coach.

The talk Cariaso and Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy had with Pingris last September, however, progressed and led to the idea of letting former many-time All-Defensive PBA team member play as well.

“That idea of letting Ping play came up later, but it’s entirely up to Ping, let’s see,” added the new Blackwater coach, with Sy already offering an initial one-conference package to the 6-foot-5 Pingris over a week ago.

Pingris, who turned 42 last week, is currently under contract with the Imus SV squad in the MPBL.

Cariaso feels the Pingris still has some gas left at his tank so to speak if ever, the Pozzorubio, Pangasinan native accepts the added role that could the pave the way for his PBA comeback.

“I think yes, of course (he could still play), he’s of age, over 40, but still, In those amount of minutes, for sure, he might surprise us and be able to play longer,” shared Cariaso.

Pingris retired in May 2021 after playing 15 years in the PBA, yielding nine league titles including the 2014 Grand Slam with San Mig Coffee (now Magnolia).

Known for his big, fighting heart, Cariaso hopes Pingris could eventually join Blackwater as he imparts his wealth of knowledge and experience to the players.

For one, even while Blackwater has veteran bigs in Yousef Taha, James Sent and Troy Rosario, Cariaso would like to see 2023 PBA second overall rookie pick Christian David develop his skills, along with athletic Tyrus Hill and along with incoming sophomore big man Ato Ular.

The former Learn big man, selected 13th overall by Blackwater in the 2022 PBA draft, is coming off an impressive rookie year after averaging 11.18 points and 9.06 rebounds in 34 games.