Marc off the hard court

Did you know that Marc Pingris, the towering 6’4” Gilas, is a Cry Baby?

When Gilas Pilipinas lost by four points to Puerto Rico during the Fiba World Cup in Spain, Marc cried like a baby. And why not? After all he and his teammates worked hard for that competition as they did for the current Asian Games in Seoul where they placed No. 7 overall. “The Filipinos in Spain who were rooting for us were crying,” explained Marc, “kaya napaiyak na rin ako.”

 Did Marc cry again over the recent loss? Oh well, maybe in private. But there’s always his wife, Danica Sotto, to console him with a big reassuring hug that seems to say, “It’s okay. At home, you are always the winner, the highest scorer!”

That’s where we visited Marc and Danica (and their children Mic, six years old; and Cayla, three years old) two Mondays ago…at their Valle Verde 5, Pasig City, home — while Marc was between rehearsals for the Asian Games. Off the hard court, in his comfort zone, Marc bared his soft side, quite contrary to the aggressive forward player of San Mig Super Coffee Mixers.

During the Fiba World Cup, Marc’s mother-in-law, Dina Bonnevie, along with Danica, must have grown hoarse cheering for the Gilas Team. He’s loved by his in-laws (he even starred in a commercial with his father-in-law, “Bossing” Vic Sotto). It was Dina who helped Danica look after the kids while Marc was busy with the games. From Spain, Marc went to France to visit his French father whom he hadn‘t seen in two years. It was Danica who facilitated the initial reunion between Marc and his father, thanks to social media on which Danica did the research.

Marc’s mom was visiting from Pangasinan, with loads of the province’s goodies as pasalubong for Marc who has been craving for them. Mother and son have an easy relationship, more like friends. At one point, Marc requested us in jest to find his mom a boyfriend, preferably a foreigner. Marc got a little pinch for that.

And over platefuls of the Pangasinan goodies, we sat down for a free-wheeling Conversation with Marc and Danica (who were married on March 3, 2007).

In real life, doesn’t Danica make you cry?

Danica (before Marc could answer): Actually, he’s the one who makes me cry. Joke!

What do you do during Marc’s “crying” moments?

Danica: I cry, too, even as I try to console him. Si Marc kasi, ang ugali niya, he doesn’t want to discuss whatever is bothering him or anybody asking him what’s wrong. He wants to be by himself first, maihinga niya muna, and after that he’s ready to talk to you. That’s what happened in Spain. I gave him space. After that, nag-dinner na lang kami.

You are often out of the house due to the games. Don’t your kids miss you, and vice-versa?

Marc: We exchange text messages. Si Mic nakaka-intindi na and he would ask what time I would be home. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam na hinahanap ako ng anak ko. Once I get home, todo-laro kami at kuwentuhan. I assure them that after work, we will all go out with Mommy.

Don’t you have time for another baby?

Danica (laughing): Yes, we do have time. Mga nakaw na sandali.

Marc: We are planning for that.

Danica: Good thing that his bosses are giving Marc two weeks off after the Asian Games.

Marc: So we can start doing it, hahahaha!

How many more kids do you want to have?

Danica: Okey na sa akin ang tatlo.

According to Bobby Jaworski (in an interview during his prime), it was okay to have sex even the night before a game; while Jinkee Pacquiao said that she and Manny don’t do “it” three weeks before Manny’s fight. How is it in your case?

Danica: I believe that it’s psychological, hindi kailangan mag-abstain. But Marc believes na kailangan mag-abstain. So, I follow him kasi baka mamaya matalo sila ako pa ang sisihin.

Don’t you ever fight?

Danica: Seldom. Bihira talaga.

Aren’t you the jealous type, considering how female fans swoon over their idols?

Danica: No, not at all. Minsan nga naiinis siya sa akin because he would make up stories to make me jealous, pero wa epek. Why should I be? First, I trust him. Second, if he fooled around, he would be exposed at once. As they say, walang lihim na hindi nasisiwalat. Third, he makes us feel naman na secure kami. But we do fight. Hindi nawawala sa mag-asawa ‘yon. Feeling ko, little fights are common among couples. You survive trials and that’s how you learn, doon mo makikita kung gaano kayo katatag as a couple. Besides, I knew what I was getting into — that he’s a player. I am in showbiz, so I know what kind of world we live in. Mas happy ako na hinahangaan siya kaysa naman bino-boo siya. I pray for him all the time.

And how do you deal with over-aggressive (female) fans?

Marc: Hindi naman nawawala ang mga temptation. You just have to control yourself. I am blessed that Danica keeps praying for me and reminding me against temptation.

Doesn’t Danica monitor your movements?

Marc: She doesn’t have to. I keep her up-to-date with my activities. Kapag nagkayayaan ang team to go somewhere after the practice, I would text her. Actually, I just show my team na nakikisama ako and then I go home na kaagad. Mahina ako sa amoy ng yosi. When I was courting Danica, pinuntahan ko siya sa gimikan. Mausok, kaya nagkasakit ako.

So you don’t have any vice?

Danica (hastening to answer for Marc): Mayroon, he has one vice…computer games!

Marc: Sometimes I drink kapag may okasyon. Pero hindi inom na lasingan.

When you have an LQ (Lovers’ Quarrel), who’s the first to break the ice?

Marc: It depends. If she’s at fault, she’s the one who says “Sorry” first. If I’m at fault, ako naman ang unang nagso-sorry. Kung medyo malaking tampuhan, we would wait until dawn who would make the first move, walang kibuan until morning hangga’t hindi kami nagkaka-ayos. That’s our rule since we got married — if we fight, whatever the cause, we should not sleep until naayos ang lahat.

Danica (joking): You just have to eat your pride so you can go to sleep, hehehe!

Marc: We’re not saying that we are a perfect couple, mayroon lang talaga kaming mga patakaran. Also, when we fight, we keep it to ourselves; we don’t drag our parents, or anybody else, into it. We see to it that our kids wouldn‘t know about it. It’s only when things get worse that we ask people close to us what to do.

Any piece of advice from Bossing Vic?

Danica: Before Marc and I got married, Daddy gave us his first, and so far last, advice. Sabi niya, “Kung magpapakasal kayo, ‘tapos hindi n’yo rin seseryosohin, huwag na lang.” My dad is a man of few words pero kapag nagbitiw ng salita, malalim and he really means it.

And what kind of advice or tips would you give your kids or those who want to follow in your footsteps?

Marc: Work hard, be patient, mag-tiyaga. In my case, hindi ako basketball player na marunong talaga. I started learning the game at age 10 and worked hard at it. I practiced three times a day, kadalasan gutom talaga because we didn’t have money to buy extra food. Sometimes, I couldn’t sleep due to hunger, so what I did was drink lots of water. Kelangan tiyaga lang at prayer. I would often say that things are not like the lotto. If you put a bet and you win, that’s luck. If you really want something, work hard at it, love your work.

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