For the first time in 197 days, Earl Abadam stepped onto the court in a UAAP-sanctioned game on Thursday — and the 21-year-old La Salle winger savored every moment of it.
“I’m just super thankful. I’m so grateful to be able to play on the court again with my brothers. It’s something I can’t describe — it’s all the hard work, it’s all the faith. It’s all up to Him,” said Abadam, who returned to action in place of Vhoris Marasigan on Day 3 of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s 3×3 Basketball Tournament.
“I can’t explain it enough.”
Abadam had last played on October 16, 2024, when disaster struck during the Green Archers’ match-up against the UST Growling Tigers.
In a freak collision with teammate Mike Phillips, Abadam suffered a fractured left ankle that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
It was a painful ordeal — not just physically, but emotionally — as he watched La Salle fall to archrival UP in a grueling three-game finals series.
“It was definitely very painful.
“But God showed me that I was supposed to go through something like that — to open my mind to things I wasn’t used to before,” he said.
Now, the 6-foot-5 winger is back with the Green Archers, this time leading their 3×3 campaign in pursuit of a third straight championship.
But the roster has changed.
Gone are teammates like Jonnel Policarpio and CJ Austria. Abadam now shares the court with promising talents such as Doy Dungo, EJ Gollena, and JC Macalalag.
“I’m just trying to be a leader by example. I’m trying to show them that this is such a great opportunity to strengthen our bond,” he added.
“That way, when 5-on-5 time comes, we’re already used to this feeling of playing together.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Abadam scored nine points in La Salle’s 20-19 opening win over FEU, but the Archers were later upset by UP, 22-16.
That left them with a 2-3 record heading into their final two games — one against struggling Ateneo on Friday, and another against last season’s final opponent, UE.
Despite the tough road ahead, Abadam remains hopeful.
“I take it like any other basketball game. I’m just grateful to be part of it. I’m always hopeful that the Lord will continue to guide me, and that everything we do off the court will translate onto the court,” he said.
