Raymond Almazan finally made his PBA season debut following an ankle injury, Wednesday night.
But there wasn’t much to remember of his return. The 6-foot-8 slotman – who last played a PBA game back in September 22 – saw action for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters sparingly, only playing for two minutes and 55 seconds.
Things turned worse for Almazan when the Elasto Painters lost big to Mike Di Gregorio and the Blackwater Elite, 99-111, ending their mini two-game winning streak in the 2019 Philippine Cup.
“Gusto ko sana maglaro kanina,” said the 29-year-old Almazan, who only collected two points in two attempts and a turnover. “Kaya ko na kahit mas longer minutes.
“Kaya ko naman.”
Almazan also lamented their sorry loss to the Elite, where they allowed the latter to pull off a 16-5 run en route to an 18-point lead with 4:01 left to playm that iced Rain or Shine for good.
“Kaya nga eh. Yun nga sinasabi ko … Nangyayari talaga eh, breaks of the game,” he said. “Game namin sa Friday, sana makabawi kami.
“Kaso San Miguel, hindi madaling trabaho yun.”
But as disappointing his debut may seem, Almazan fully understands head coach Caloy Garcia’s decision to limit his playing time. After all, Almazan had just returned to practice this Monday.
“Pero siyempre kababalik ko lang sa practice tsaka sa game, baka iniisip din ni coach yung kalagayan ko, baka ma-overwhelm ako,” said Almazan, who had been hurt just days before their opener.
“Pero sobrang nag-enjoy ako kanina. Pero talo nga lang.”
