Purefoods Hotshots Star player Marc Pingris recommits to the depleted Gilas Pilipinas line-up, this after his much publicized pull-out days before. Also known as Pinoy Sakuragi, the mercurial Power Forward who once bannered the Gilas “Puso” anthem assured Filipino basketball fans his readiness to suit-up once called-up for the nationals.

San Miguel Purefoods on Wednesday announced this statement of Pingris, “I am grateful for management’s support and if the Philippine team still needs me, I promise to go all out for the country in the FIBA Asia Championship as it aims to gain a slot in the Rio Olympics next year.” And continued, “Despite my earlier pronouncement not to join and give others a chance to play for the country, Purefoods management has asked me to reconsider my decision. I talked to my wife and we agreed. In the end, it was pride and honor in representing the Philippines that prevailed over me,” the rebounding machine added.

For it’s part, Hotshots team governor Rene Pardo was quoted, “He will represent the country because he wants to. We have no control over our players’ decision when it comes to competing for the national team. We do not deny that we debate on the merits of them joining as a professional player. However, in the end representing your country is an incomparable honor. You can’t argue with that.” Pardo also added, “We’re terribly hit at SMC when we had no control on these players’ decision,” as quoted in Philippine Star.

Pingris, the rebounding demon and defensive hound of Team Pilipinas led Gilas to 2nd place in Manila FIBA Asia Championship 2013 and to the FIBA Worlds in Spain 2014, reiterated his passion for the national cause. Yet on Saturday, he relayed his decision that he be excluded from the Filipino line-up.

The exit of Pingris from Gilas was the last straw that Filipino fans wanted to hear after a massive number of pro stars (majority from SMC) opted not to suit-up for the nationals. “I love Gilas but some things are beyond our control,” said Pingris which only added fuel to the wildfire of speculations regarding probable corporate rivalry.

Some quarters hinted that the French Filipino’s flip-flop today served only as damage control and remedy to the fiery social media backlash the mass exile of players created. Fans communicated their disgust to the basketball stakeholders that they cannot disregard national interest. “Too late” commenter Sopingac posted in Disqus. Kuya orot also commented in Disqus, “Pampalubag loob at alam nila na galit ang taong bayan.”