The injury bug continues to plague the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors.
Tiebreaker Times first reported last Wednesday that one-half of the Smash Sisters, Myla Pablo, sustained an injury in practice that will force the former National University standout to sit-out two games. However, during Pocari Sweat’s game against the Baguio Summer Spikers, the other half of the duo, Michele Gumabao, was also on the sidelines.
“Si Michele nagka-rupture sa abdomen niya. I think magkaka-check up kami ulit sa Wednesday,” Lady Dubs’ assistant coach Rommel Abella said about Gumabao’s injury. “Hindi namin alam kung san niya nakuha yung sa abdomen niya. Sabi ng doctor good thing strong yung core niya kung hindi mapupunit ng tuluyan yun.”
Gumabao, who suited-up for the game but was not utilized, admitted that she wanted to play in the contest but her coaches forced her not to. “Gusto ko talaga maglaro kanina. Kung pinayagan nila ako maglalaro ako, maglalaro ako kanina pero wala talaga e. I played with it kasi for the past games kaya lumala,” the 23 year old shared.
“If makapasok kami sa semis or sa finals, I want to be a 100 percent. Ayoko naman yung every time papalo ako sisigaw ako dahil sa sakit. It’s a small sacrifice naman.”
The former La Salle Lady Spiker though admitted that she too does not know where the injury came from or what it is. “Kakapa-MRI ko lang kanina, sabi nila may punit. It’s because of the wear and tear of the season,” she furthered. “Wala siyang specific source or movement na talagang naramdaman ko na ‘aray.”
“Kahit yung mga doctors hindi nila ma-pinpoint yung reason. It’s a rare case daw dahil sa gilid ng lower abdomen.”
The only medication though that the doctors told her was pure rest. “Walang gamot aside from rest and I can’t take pain medication kasi hindi ko malalaman kung kelan siya sasakit at baka lumala pa. As in wala talaga akong magawa,” Pocari Sweat’s open hitter added.
Fortunately for the Lady Warriors, Rossan Fajardo and Cai Nepomuceno more than made-up for the team’s loss in combing for 27 markers to keep Pocari Sweat’s perfect slate intact. “Buti na lang lahat ng ipasok namin, they are very competent. Everybody trains the same way that’s why we play the same way. I, not only have faith in myself, but also my teammates because everyone can play,” she closed.
It is still not known however if Gumabao will miss Pocari Sweat’s next game on Saturday, June 18 against Iriga City. The game is set to be played at the Blue Eagle Gym in Katipunan, Quezon City.