Rain or Shine bruising big man JR Quinah an apologized to San Mig Super Coffee star center Marc Pingris saying that it was not his intention to hurt the latter.
“Wala akong napansin na tinamaan ko siya (Pingris). Nag-aagawan kasi kaming tatlo (with Rafi Reavis) nun sa rebound,” Quinahan recalled to Spin.ph the sorry incident during the team’s practice on Saturday.
The 6-foot-5 Pingris was battling with Quinahan for the loose ball following Reavis’ missed layup when the wide-bodied Quinahan poked his finger on the right eye of the San Mig star while going for the rebound, sending Pingris down on the floor.
Quinahan revealed that only after guard Paul Lee drained a three-point shot and all the players headed back to San Mig’s side did he see Pingris holding on to his right eye.
Play was then halted at the 4:59 mark of the third period as San Mig’s medical team attended to Pingris.
San Mig Coffee team doctor Raffy Sanchez says Marc Pingris will be available for Sunday’s Game Five.
“Nakita ko na lang na nakatumba siya. Di ko rin naman alam ano ang nangyari. Saka kung anuman, di ko intensyon na saktan siya,” added the 29-year-old heavyweight center, who, along with Beau Belga, forms Rain or Shine’s “Extra Rice Inc.” frontline.
Pingris eventually left the San Mig bench and went straight to the dugout to have his eye further examined.
San Mig won Game Four, 93-90.
Quinahan, the former University of Visayas center, said he will personally apologize to Pingris once he sees him in the playing venue for Game Five of the best-of-seven Finals which the Mixers lead, 3-1.
Coincidentally, rookie forward Ian Sangalang stepped up in the big shoes vacated by Pingris, firing away 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds to contribute in the Mixers’ huge win.