A fan’s life-changing experience

Paul Dailan is a typical senior high student of STI Las Piñas who loves basketball. Just like any other teen who has the passion for the game, he would pick a team to cheer for and choose someone whom he would love, emulate and use as a source of inspiration.

PBA star Marc Pingris is one player fans would certainly love and Mr. Dailan picked him above everybody else.

Pingris isn’t just your ordinary player who would rise to prominence by scoring big every game and hitting the lights out of the arena. The 6-foot5 veteran cager is a certified blue- collar worker who would do whatever it takes for his team to win. He would get the rebounds, defend the best players of the opposing team and do the dirty job.

His brand of game is something Filipinos could relate as no wonder he was feted with “The Hand of Excellence Award” by STI Las Piñas during their annual sportsfest held recently.

Pingris, himself, became more endeared to fans because of the way he treated those who are dearly devoted to him. It’s a trait he learned from his predecessor, four-time PBA Most Valuable Player and league Hall of Famer Alvin Patrimonio.

Like Pingris, Patrimonio was also given citation by STI Las Piñas for continuously serving as a role model and an ultimate ambassador of the game. No wonder, both players were the muchloved cagers of the old Purefoods franchise from their generation.

Mr. Dailan got the opportunity of a lifetime when Pingris came aboard.

Bringing in with him a replica jersey of the 2014 grand slam jersey of San Mig Coffee and the Gilas Pilipinas uniform worn by Pingris during the 2014 World Cup, Dailan was like living a dream when he met his idol face-to-face.

Dailan wept unabashedly, tears of joy came out as he thanked everyone for the opportunity of a lifetime.

It was a surreal moment, something Mr. Dailan would never forget the rest of his life.

Pingris, too, was touched to see a fan of him breaking into tears while couldn’t hold back his happiness.

Mara Aquino of ESPN5, herself, was inspired by that scene that she even planned to include it on her segment to be shown during halftime of the game between Magnolia Hotshots and the GlobalPort Batang Pier on Tuesday.

There are many people like Paul Dailan, waiting and hoping to get the same luck he experienced.

For Pingris, that moment of touching his life was enough proof that even PBA stars could relate to one’s emotions and that connection certainly made him not just one of the most endeared players, but also a wonderful person.

Inside the playing court, we see a tough Marc Pingris. Outside of it, we witnessed that Pinoy Sakuragi has a soft spot for the fans. It’s only fitting to give back the love he received.