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Marc Pingris proud as daughter Micaela shines in volleyball

Article (news)

Clarence Roi Gillego

Push Team

<p>Former Gilas Pilipinas star Marc Pingris expressed how proud he was for his daughter, who recently made an achievement at the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Division 2.  <em></em></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKrgAtZyiGe/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A7577060.100000024%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1000" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>Micaela, his only daughter, not only earned Domuschola International School a championship; she was also hailed as the Best Opposite Spiker of the league.  </p><div> </div><p>At an early age, the 13-year-old has already set her eyes straight to the goal: becoming a professional volleyball player in the future. </p><div> </div><p>“My plan is to continue playing volleyball until I become a pro athlete, hopefully,” she told reporters.  </p><div> </div><p>In an interview, Marc has attested to his daughter’s persistence and love for volleyball.  </p><div> </div><p>“Nakita ko kasi kung gaano niya kagusto maglaro ng volleyball,” he said. “Pagkatapos ng practice, sa room niya, hanggang 1 a.m. ‘yan, talagang pumapalo-palo siya. Pumapasok kami dun [para sabihin na] ‘enough na, you need to sleep.’” </p><div> </div><p>“Nasa heart niya talaga, gusto niya talaga maglaro ng volleyball. So, proud na proud ako dito sa anak ko,” he added.  </p><div> </div><p>Meanwhile, Micaela admitted that pressure is inevitable for a second-generation athlete like her who carries the name of her father.</p><div> </div><p>“Honestly, there’s a lot of pressure because I came from a family [of athletes],” she admitted. “My dad is a big athlete, my brother plays basketball, he’s also well-known, so it’s kinda pressuring when I play and people know my name. They were like: ‘uy si Pingris ‘yun.’ It’s kind of pressuring and I feel like I need to play my best [because] people know me.” </p><div> </div><p>Despite the pressure, Micaela said that she’s grateful to have a dad who understands her from an athlete’s standpoint.  </p><div> </div><p>“Since he’s also an athlete, he’s gone through the things I’m going through,” she said. “And it’s like I have a guide with me if I’m having problems with my sport, I can ask my Dad, and he just knows exactly what to say and how to comfort me.” </p><div> </div><p>Speaking from experience, Marc also shared the advice he constantly reminds his children. </p><div> </div><p>“Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila na ‘wag lalaki (ang) ulo nila. Kahit ano man ang makuha [nila] ngayon kailangan pag-igihan pa nila, kailangan mag-work hard pa sila,” he shared. </p><div> </div><p>“Lagi ko sinasabi at kinekwento sa kanila na galing ako sa wala, at ang puhunan ko hindi talento, ‘yung puso ko lang talaga. Kung pano [kami binuhay ng mother ko], nakuha ko lang ‘yun sa kanya. So, lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na hard work lang talaga ang puhunan sa mga ganitong bagay,” he added. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/3/12/danica-sotto-and-marc-pingris-celebrate-18th-wedding-anniversary-1642" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Danica Sotto and Marc Pingris celebrate 18th wedding anniversary</strong></a></div><div> </div><p>Proud mom Danica Sotto-Pingris said that as parents, they never pressured their kids to pursue sports, emphasizing that they were driven by their personal interests.</p><div> </div><p>“Kay Caela, even sa son namin, lagi namin sinasabi ni Marc... never namin sila pinilit to get into sports, sila mismo nagsabi samin na ‘oh I want to play basketball, I want to play volleyball.’ In-e-expose namin, but never namin pinilit,” she said. </p><div> </div><p>Micaela’s victory in the championship match last Saturday, June 7, coincided with her brother Michael’s moving up rites at Far Eastern University, making it a double celebration for the family.  </p>

<p>Basketball star Marc Pingris is proud that his only daughter Micaela has started to make a name for herself in volleyball.</p>

Basketball star Marc Pingris is proud that his only daughter Micaela has started to make a name for herself in volleyball.