ANTIPOLO – There wasn’t an any better venue for Anjo Caram to mark his Meralco return after weeks on the sidelines no thanks to an ankle injury.
The veteran playmaker played his first game of the PBA Governors’ Cup on Saturday night at the Ynares Center here, the very same place where he registered his career-best in points over three years ago.
“Medyo excited din ako maglaro,” said the Bolts lifer.
“Three weeks ako ‘di nakapag-practice, tapos first game ko this conference. Papunta rito, parang na-eexcite nga ako, medyo ganado maglaro bago mag-game.”
It was in this arena where Caram had his best outing to date, firing 30 points to power his side to a 103-89 win over NorthPort in a Governors’ Cup elimination round encounter back on November 10, 2019.
And he appeared to be on pace of replicating that feat against Blackwater, when he already scored 16 markers just in the first half.
Caram did admit that the 30-point game crossed his mind when he heated up that early, but said that he’s never one to go after a record.
“Pumasok din ‘yon sa isip ko nung first half. Pero ‘di ko naman habol ‘yung ganon, ‘pag naglalaro ako, kung ano lang naman yung binibigay sakin ng defense,” said the 10-year pro out of San Beda.
Caram would only score two in the next half, but had no problems with it whatsoever as he’s much happier with Meralco taking the 125-99 win.
(C) PBA Images
“Kung maka-score ako, maka-score teammate ko, masaya naman ako — basta kami, as a team, maganda tinatakbo,” he said.
And simply playing again after missing some time is more than enough for Caram to leave Ynares Antipolo wearing a smile.
“Medyo matagal din akong nawala, siguro mga two to three weeks din akong ‘di nakapag-practice. This week, hinabol ko talaga conditioning ko, extra shots after practice… nagbunga naman ngayon, thank you kay Lord,” he said.
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
