Volleyball player Micaela Pingris with her parents Marc and Danica after leading Domuschola International School to a Division 2 title and winning Best Opposite Spiker in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League.–LANCE AGCAOILI/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Micaela Pingris, the daughter of former PBA and Gilas Pilipinas star Marc, is determined to make a name for herself in volleyball.
The second-generation athlete has shown good potential despite only playing volleyball for two years. She emerged as Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Division 2 Best Opposite Spiker after leading Domuschola International School to a championship with a sweep of Everest International Academy, 25-11, 26-24, 25-17, on Saturday at La Salle Greenhills.
READ: Marc Pingris comes out of retirement, set to play for Imus in MPBL
Micaela Pingris, the daughter of former PBA star Marc and Danica Sotto, talks about her young volleyball career with Domuschola International School after winning the #ShakeysGVIL2025 Division 2. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/nX5JVaXvvr
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) June 7, 2025
“At first I really didn’t know if I want to take this seriously and then the more I played it, the more I felt like ‘oh I wanna play this sport, I wanna continue this sport, I wanna do this sport until I finally get there and I wanna make my parents proud of this sport,” said Micaela, who first tried gymnastics and tennis.
“I haven’t been playing volleyball for a long time, just about one or two years. So having this feeling, this first championship, is amazing,” she added.
The PBA legend and his wife Danica Sotto-Pingris, who had a busy Saturday, attending the moving up rights of their son Mic at FEU before making it to the GVIL awarding ceremonies, were witnesses to Micaela’s passion for the sport.
“Of course, we’re really proud. We’re so proud of how much she truly loves playing volleyball. After practice, even when she’s in her room, she keeps on training. Sometimes until 1 a.m. We’d go in and tell her, Enough, you need to sleep,’” said Marc in Filipino. “But it’s clear that volleyball is really in her heart. That’s why I’m so, so proud of my daughter.”
“Before, Caela was actually into gymnastics and even played [tennis]. I remember crying during one event when she won a gold medal—then told me, ‘Dad, I don’t want to do this anymore.’” I asked her why, and she said she was just tired. I respected that. Then, suddenly, she said she wanted to try volleyball. So now I’m here fully supporting her,” he added.
READ: Marc Pingris, PJ Simon honored in jersey retirement ceremony
Marc Pingris and Danica Sotto are proud of their daughter Micaela, #ShakeysGVIL2025 Division 2 Best Opposite Spiker and champion. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Z206Z3lxpl
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) June 7, 2025
The 13-year-old Badger admitted she feels the pressure, carrying the legacy of her father, who brought honor to the national team and became one of the 50 greatest players in the PBA.
“Honestly, yeah. There’s a lot of pressure because my dad is a big athlete and my brother plays basketball and is also well-known. So it’s kind of pressuring when I play, people watching me and they know my name being like ‘uy si Pingris yun’, it feels like I need to play my best because people know me and know my dad,” she said.
But Micaela is grateful to have a strong support system especially with a father who understands what she’s going through as an athlete.
“I always remind them to stay humble. Whatever success they have now, they need to work even harder. I always tell them my story—I came from nothing. I didn’t have natural talent. All I had was heart,” said Marc. “I got that from my father, who raised us with hard work and grit. That’s what I always try to pass on to them. Hard work is the real key in life.”
For Danica, who used to cheer for Marc, it feels surreal to root for their children, with Micaela thriving in volleyball and Mic playing basketball at FEU.
READ: Pingris turns full focus on family as he begins new journey after basketball
“I used to cheer for Marc when he was playing, then our son got into sports, and now Micaela’s following in their footsteps. She’s only 13, so we’ve got a long way to go,” said the celebrity mom in Filipino. “I told Marc, ‘I thought my cheerleader days were over when you retired.’ I’m super proud of all of them.”
“We exposed them to different things, but it was always up to them. We really just want them to choose their own path. Of course, there’s pressure, they’ve got big shoes to fill. But we always remind them: just enjoy it. Have fun and give your best,” she added.
Danica also thanked GVIL’s Division 2 MVP Naihma Banal and her father, Juan, a former Ateneo Blue Eagle and sports analyst, for encouraging their daughter to play volleyball.
“She and Caela are like sisters,” said Sotto. “Juan would always say, ‘Caela can do it,’ and he really saw potential in her. We’re super thankful for the support they gave. They’ve become like second parents to Caela.”
After winning her first championship, Micaela will continue to strive for greatness and make her own mark as a Pingris in volleyball.
“I want to continue playing volleyball until I become a pro athlete, hopefully,” she said.