“16 years na din ako sa PBA pero alam ko na ngayon na din ang tamang panahon para umpisahan ang bagong chapter ng buhay ko,” Pingris wrote on his Instagram post.

The 39-year old cager ended his 16-year career in the PBA with nine championships highlighted by the fifth Grand Slam of the league in the 2014 season.

Pingris was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time All-Defensive Team, three-time Second Mythical Team, and member of the 40 Greatest PBA Players of all time, who also won two Finals MVP awards and a Most Improved Player award.

Moreover, he was a key cog in the Gilas Pilipinas during international competitions bagging a Southeast Asian Games gold medal in 2003, two silvers in the FIBA Asia Championship in 2013 and 2015, and another silver in the 2015 William Jones Cup. 

Pingris was picked third overall by FedEx Express in the 2004 PBA Draft but was traded later in the season to the Purefoods Chunkee  

“I remember my name being called during the 2004 PBA Draft. Doon nagsimulang matupad ang pangarap ng isang batang palengke,” the Pozzorubio, Pangasinan native recalled.

He played the majority of his career with the Purefoods franchise and won his first PBA championship and first finals MVP during the 2006 Philippine Cup. 

The veteran forward had a career average of 7.9 points on 53.7 percent shooting, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 658 games.

Pingris ended the post by saying “It has been a glorious 16 years. #pinoysakuragi15signingoff.”