By REYNALD MAGALLON
LAPU-LAPU CITY – Anyang’s Filipino import Rhenz Abando wants to focus first on his full recovery from a nagging back injury that sidelined him in the Red Booster’s 78-76 win over the New Taipei Kings in the battle for third in the East Asia Super League.
The 6-foot-2 forward shared that he will remain questionable even when his team makes its return to the Korean Basketball League to finish the season after seemingly aggravating the back injury that sidelined him for two months.
“Di ko rin alam e. Parang ‘di ready yung katawan ko nung first game. After ng first game sinabihan ko na sila na hirap yung katawan ko kasi after ng game, na-trigger ‘yung back ko ulit,” revealed Abando who was reduced to a spectator in the win.
“So sinabi ko rin agad sa kanila kasi di ko kaya mag laro kahit ilineup nyo ko makikipag usap ako na nag woworsen pag naglalaro ako,” he added.
It’s still unclear whether Abando will miss a significant amount of time but he stressed that he wants to prioritize his recovery first. After all, the Red Boosters are already out of contention in the KBL and more importantly, he is set to turn into a free agent in the offseason.
“Recover muna ako and then tsaka na namin pag uusapan,” said Abando regarding his participation in the remaining KBL games. “Hopefully malaro ko yung mga natiitirang mga laro this March. Siguro mga 10 games, after nun balik sa Pinas and pahinga.”
Abando shared that he was actually already feeling the pain on his back during the semifinals game against Seoul, but just decided to push through to help the team and give the Cebuano fans a treat.
“Masakit na talaga nung game na kaso tinitiis ko lang kasikulang din talaga kami and gusto ko lang din talaga pagbigyan yung mga fans na nanood,” said Abando who still finished with 11 points in his second game back.
