Feisty point guard Jerie Pingoy was just glad to be back as he had finally made his return to the Akari-Adamson Soaring Falcons on Tuesday, when they took on Chélu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian Revellers in the PBA D-league.
The 22-year-old floor general wasn’t present in Akari-Adamson’s first three games in the conference — where they went 2-1 — as he was coming off a surgery on his left foot to remove bone spurs. The procedure was done last December.
“Siyempre masaya akong nakabalik ako coming from an injury,” said Pingoy.
The native of Cebu revealed that he has been dealing with bone spurs ever since Season 80 of the UAAP, but it was only in their clash against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the second round where he felt the pain severely.
“Nung nainjury ako [laban] sa FEU, masakit na talaga. After the season, [against] nung La Salle, nung December agad nagpaopera ako,” he said.
Pingoy rated himself between seven and eight in terms of where his recovery is right now. But he didn’t play as if he’s still nursing an injury, as he collected five points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals in 23 minutes.
Ultimately, his efforts and his D-League debut did not go down the drain, as the Soaring Falcons won decisively, 84-75. And with the victory that has improved their card to 3-1, the five-foot-nine floor general gave credit to the whole squad.
“Yung panalo ngayon it’s a team effort also. ‘Di lang ako. Tinulungan nila akong makabalik, lalo na mga coaches. Binigyan nila ako ng chance makabalik sa court,” said a grateful Pingoy.
Now, all that the amiable young cager is wishing for is for him to remain healthy for the rest of the conference. “Sana. Sana magtuloy-tuloy na yung fast recovery ko. Walang injuries sana. Yun ang inaasahan ko.”
