Christopher “Ping” Exciminiano announces retirement after 12 years in the PBA

Veteran guard Christopher “Ping” Exciminiano has officially announced his retirement from professional basketball, closing the chapter on a 12-year career in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The 36-year-old Exciminiano became the second TNT Tropang Giga guard to retire in a week—following the exit of longtime teammate Reyes—bringing an end to a career defined by relentless hustle, defensive grit, and a late-career championship run.

His retirement was confirmed by his longtime manager Danny Espiritu.

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Selected 18th overall in the 2013 PBA Draft by the Alaska Aces, Exciminiano had a modest start, struggling for minutes in his rookie season. But over the next six years, he carved out a role as a dependable two-way player. While a championship with Alaska eluded him, he was part of five Finals appearances between 2015 and 2019, establishing himself as a defensive specialist and a high-motor role player.

Ping calls it a career 👏

Ping Exciminiano has officially retired from the PBA after a 12-year career where he made a name for himself as a solid defensive piece to the teams he played for #PBA50 https://t.co/v3MR838CyL

— SPIN.ph (@spinph) September 23, 2025

Exciminiano was traded to Rain or Shine in 2019 as part of a deal for Maverick Ahanmisi, though he saw limited action due to an ACL injury. Upon recovery, he found new life with TNT Tropang Giga, eventually breaking into the 5×5 roster after a stint with their 3×3 squad.

It was with TNT that Exciminiano finally earned championship success. He was part of the title-winning squad that claimed the 2021 Philippine Cup in the league’s Bacolor bubble. He went on to add two more championships to his name during the 2024 Governors’ Cup and the 2024–25 Commissioner’s Cup, before TNT’s Grand Slam bid fell just short last season.

Across 282 career games, Exciminiano averaged modest numbers—3.3 points and 1.5 rebounds per game—but his contributions went far beyond the stat sheet. He was named to the PBA All-Defensive Team twice (2015 and 2016) and was widely respected for his intensity on both ends of the floor.

Beyond the PBA, he also left his mark in the regional scene, winning the 2021 VisMin Super Cup (Visayas leg) with KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue, where he was also named Finals MVP.

As of now, Exciminiano has not revealed his post-retirement plans. Whether he transitions into coaching, management, or takes a step back from basketball altogether remains to be seen.

One thing is certain—Christopher “Ping” Exciminiano retires as a champion, a fan favorite, and a model of perseverance for late draft picks and defensive-minded players across the league.

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