Mark Pingris attended B-Meg Derby Ace’s practice session on Thursday but will not suit up for
Friday’s game when the hot Llamados, gunning for their fourth straight win, face Rain or Shine in
a crucial match at the Cuneta Astrodome.

As scheduled, the 6-foot-4 power forward planed in on Tuesday from the US where he underwent a two
month rehab to repair a torn cartilage in his left hip. But he still needs some time to work on his
game shape and rhythm.

After picking up their third straight victory against Air21 last Wednesday, coach George Galllent
was hopeful Pingris would be ready to return to action against the Elasto Painters.

In his first practice with the team since being sidelined by the injury, Pingris, a monster off the
boards, worked on his low-post play and also did some shoot around.

“He won’t play [Friday] but he’ll definitely suit up next week,” said Nick Ocampo, the
team’s physical therapist, referring to the rematch against Alaska on Wednesday.

Given the situation, Gallent is hoping his depleted roster will be able to continue to overcome
adversity and come out winners again in their scheduled 7:30 p.m. date with the Painters.

That means James Yap’s support crew – Rico Maierhofer, PJ Simon, Jonas Villanueva, Roger Yap,
Jondan Salvador and Jerwin Gaco – will have to deliver another excellent performance.

“It’s a crucial game for us because we want to stay in the upper half of the standings and
protect our three-game winning streak,” offered Gallent, contending RoS (4-4) remains dangerous
even without its starting guard Sol Mercado, on loan to Smart Gilas-Pilipinas to beef up its
campaign in the ongoing Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

The Llamados (4-5) are coming off an eight-day break while the Painters have not played since their
110-107 victory against San Miguel Beer on Nov. 7.

RoS coach Caloy Garcia acknowledged that Derby Ace has been playing well of late so he expects his
troops to step up and carry the momentum of their back-to-back wins over Barako Bull and San Miguel.

“We’ll just stick to our game plan and try to outhustle them, primarily in rebounding,” said
Garcia, adding it’s always a challenge playing against his cousin Gallent because “he throws in
different looks on defense”.

Garcia admitted that Mercado plays a big part in the team. “But we know he is also a big part of
the national team. We just have to take it as a challenge … for the players to step up,” he
said.

The other game at 5 o’clock between Air21 and Powerade is also expected to be a heck of an
encounter as both teams try to hold on to the No. 8 spot to have a strong shot a making the
quarters.

Both the Express and the Tigers have lost their last three games and are tied for eighth and ninth
places with 3-6 records.

“It will almost be a knockout game for us. We will treat it as such. We have to gain back our
winning confidence,” said Powerade coach Bo Parasol, who reactivated veteran guard Paolo Mendoza
from the unrestricted free agent list in lieu of Chico Lanete, who has been struggling with his
game.