LAPU-LAPU CITY – Anyang Jung Kwan Jang will continue monitoring Rhenz Abando as the Red Boosters now gears up for the EASL third-place game.
The young winger hasn’t fully recovered yet from a back injury although he was able to see action, albeit limited minutes, in their semifinal clash against Seoul SK on Friday night, which the Red Boosters lost via 94-79 result.
“We will try to communicate with Rhenz about the injury … but on top of our list is Rhenz’s health,” said head coach Kim Sangshik moments after the loss at the Hoops Dome here.
“We’re not gonna force him to play.”
Abando was doubtful to play in the Final Four 2024 opener as he continues to recover from an injury that was aggravated during his first game back against Goyang Sono in the Korean Basketball League last Sunday.
He did play, though, checking into the game at the 2:35-mark of the first quarter. The 25-year-old went on to play for 20 minutes and 41 seconds, finishing with 11 points on 3-of-4 field-goal shooting, three rebounds, and a block.
“It’s a tough situation for Rhenz. Rhenz is not a hundred percent but we noticed that Rhenz wanted to play in front of his own crowd,” said Kim.
(C) EASL
But then, being listed as day-to-day brings no guarantee that he’ll play on Sunday against the losing team between Chiba and New Taipei.
Regardless, Abando is filled with immense gratitude to have played in front of Filipinos for the first time as part of the Korean ball club.
“Sobrang happy pero at the same time disappointed kasi I’m not healthy,” said the Letran product. “Pero more on masaya. Sobrang blessed din kasi they supported us, even though hindi namin nakuha yung panalo.”
Abando felt even more elated with the entire experience when the home crowd cheered and screamed his name whenever he got the ball.
“When they started screaming my name, I felt like I was playing in the World Cup again,” said Abando, who played for Gilas in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
“That’s the first thing I remembered when I entered.”
