Gilas Cadet and Mahindra Floodbuster rookie forward Russel Escoto is just 24 years old, but he already has been through a lot at this point of his young and still-developing career.
And he has knee injuries to blame for that.
The Far Eastern University product had sustained a left knee injury last January 27, during Mahindra’s match against the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2017 Philippine Cup, where the said knee buckled during a box-out scene.
The injury was initially diagnosed as a grade 1 MCL sprain, but further tests showed that it was actually a torn ACL — the same injury that had struck him during his FEU heydays back in UAAP Season 76 four years ago.
That is where the challenge comes in for the youthful Kapampangan. He’s 24 years young, and yet he has already met major setbacks this early in his career. And for him, having to go through so many tests is nothing but frustrating.
“Siyempre nakaka-frustrate din yun, na ang bata-bata mo pa, laging may pagsubok,” admitted the 6-foot-6 forward, who visited Gilas Pilipinas’ practice session Saturday night at the Meralco Gym in Pasig.
Clad in his usual shirt-and-shorts attire, Escoto was on the sidelines, watching his fellow Nationals run drills as they prepare for the SEABA set this week. And solely watching his teammates, bared Escoto, makes him feel envious.
“Siyempre nakaka-inggit. Pero wala tayong magagawa,” lamented Escoto, who has yet to get himself involved in basketball activities for almost three months now, as he was advised by doctors to take time to heal first.
But despite the trials, the one-time UAAP gold medalist never fails to beam with optimism. He even proudly shared the progress of his repaired knee, saying that it is indeed on its way to full recovery.
“Maganda yung progress ng tuhod ko. Medyo malapit na sa full range yung pag-bend,” said Escoto, who had a promising Philippine Cup campaign with norms of 8.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in the 10 games he played.
“Next week magwe-weights na ‘ko eh, para mag-start na yung movements ng tuhod ko.”
Escoto’s return, according to him, might be on October — meaning that a comeback this season will not happen. He cannot wait to get his feet wet on the court, though, but he knows that it will take time before he could do that.
For now, all Escoto is doing is trust the process in order for him to come back stronger.
“Focus lang ako sa process na ginagawa namin ngayon. Unti-unti, palakasin muna yung tuhod, at siyempre buong katawan kasi yun ang pinaka-importante,” Escoto stated.
“Positive lang, alam naman natin na may purpose si God. Laban lang ng laban.”
