ALLAN THE MAN

Marc Pingris will not be part of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas lineup for the FIBA Asia Cup 2012 this September, coach Chot Reyes said on Thursday.

Reyes told InterAKTV in a telephone interview that the San Mig Coffee forward is still on vacation and recuperating from a neck injury suffered during the Governors’ Cup finals.

B-MEG coach Tim Cone seemed like a proud father when he heard news about former Llamados’ import Denzel Bowles’ impressive showing in his NBA Summer League debut with the New Orleans Hornets.

“The B-MEG team and the entire SMC organization is so proud of him,” Cone told InterAKTV. “He will always be welcome to our B-MEG family, but I would be happier to see him fulfill his dream of playing in the NBA.”

But Cone still watched Bowles’ performance with a coach’s eye, and had some pointers for his former ward, who won Best Import in the Commissioner’s Cup and led the Llamados to the title.

“He still needs to improve his defense and has to get up and down the court quickly. But Denzel is learning and continuously improving. I’m so proud of what he has achieved,” said Cone.

Other members of the Llamados tweeted words of encouragement for their former teammate.

JC Intal (@jcintal7) :   @Denzel_Bowles congrats, big D! I feel proud watching you this morning. Great job!