Danica Sotto-Pingris paid tribute to her husband Marc Pingris who retired from basketball after 16 years in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
On Facebook May 25, Danica recalled how her husband would prepare for his basketball games.
"Every time Marc has a game, especially an important one, yung tipong mga do or die games… di mo makaka usap yan! He’s quiet and not his usual kulit self. Naka focus sa game yan. Minsan ilang araw pa. I give him his space kasi nag iisip talaga yan ng malalim. But once the game is over… he will always look for me and the kids in the crowd so he can hug us and say he loves us.
"Pag ganyan na siya sa kin, mission accomplished na siya. Nanalo na team nila, para sa family namin o kaya para sa bayan."I will be forever proud of what you’ve accomplished, Marc Pingris. We love you so much!!!" Danica said.
Danica is the daughter of actors Dina Bonnevie and Vic Sotto.
Marc, 39, announced his retirement on Instagram on May 25.
His full announcement:
"I remember my name being called during the 2004 PBA Draft. Doon nagsimulang matupad ang pangarap ng isang batang palengke. 16 years na din ako sa PBA pero alam ko na ngayon na din ang tamamg panahon para umpisahan ang bagong chapter ng buhay ko.
"I want to thank everyone na naniwala at sumuporta sakin, sa MAMA ko na inspiration ko, sa ATE & KUYA ko na nagdisiplina sakin, at lahat ng relatives ko.
"Thank you to Mayor MORDEN, boss JESSIE CHUA who recruited me.
"Thank you sa AIR21 for drafting and trusting me, thank you Boss Bert Lina.
"Salamat sa COACHES na nag guide sakin - coaches coach boyz zamar,Johnny Tam, Leo Austria, Siot Tanquincen, Ryan Gregorio, Chot Reyes, Jorge Gallent, Jason Webb, & Chito Victolero at asst coaches. To all my TEAMMATES Thank you! Appreciate you all!
"Thank you sa SMC, BOSS DANDING, BOSS RAMON ANG, BOSS ALFRANCIS, BOSS ALEJO, GOV PARDO, BOSS CAP at sa muse ng Purefoods si mam REENA. Thank you sa lahat ng BALL BOYS kay DOC RAFFY,NICK.RC.JOJO.
"COACH TIM, it’s because of you that I grew to understand the sport as more than a game. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to become part of history with our 2014 grandslam. I am proud to have played the game we both love with you.
"Thank you tito ED PONCEJA na tumayong pangalawang ama ko. Salamat sa mga payo
"GILAS family, thank you!
"PBA FANS, salamat sa suporta nyo. Hindi mabubuo ang PBA kung wala kayo. Mamimiss ko ang games, ang mga sigaw nyo, lalo na sa Manila Clasico!!!
"To all MEDIA, thank you sa pagbuhos ng oras para mahatid ang balitang PBA.
"Sa TROPANG PINGRIS, Mahal ko kayo!
"To MIC & CAELA, I love you! Everything I do is for you. To my SOTTO family, I love you all! To DADDY VIC and MOMMY D, salamat sa supporta , pagmamahal at pagtanggap sakin. To Papi and Mamita, my PINGRIS fam. Thank you for your love and support.
"To my wife, Danica, thank you for your love. Thank you for all the sacrifices you made for me & our family. Thank you for staying beside me, for pushing me to work harder & never give up. I love you!
"Higit sa lahat, Salamat Lord God sa pag gabay at sa lahat ng blessings.
"It has been a glorious 16 years, #pinoysakuragi15signingoff"