With the 2020 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season Division Finals put on hold due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Davao Occidental-Cocolife main man Mark Yee is putting all his spare time to good use.
His initial diagnosis was a torn plantaris muscle on his right knee due to a collision during the Game Two of their quarterfinals match-up against Bicol last February 21. Later, MRI results revealed that the 38-year-old bruiser suffered a partial anterior cruciate ligament tear and a torn calf.
Despite the injuries, Yee battled through the pain and managed to suit up in four of Davao Occidental’s last five playoff games.
But with Luzon placed under enhanced community quarantine due to the country’s ongoing fight against the pandemic, Yee is maximizing his extra time to work out, making sure that he’s a hundred-percent ready once their Game Three clash against Basilan-Jumbo Plastic resumes.
“Sobrang malaking bagay ‘to para sa akin kasi makakapag-rehab ako kahit dito sa bahay at makakapaghanda para sa game. Bahay lang talaga, kaunting papawis. Sa ngayon ang iniisip ko, sana matapos muna ‘tong COVID virus, dasal lang saka tiwala kay God talaga,” Yee shared.
“Pinagaling na ako ni God, pero masaya na malungkot ako dahil sa quarantine. Siyempre, masaya kasi may time ako makapag-workout at makapaghanda para sa Game Three, pero malungkot kasi maraming mga tao ‘yung naapektuhan at ‘di makapagtrabaho.”
Despite the future of the Lakan playoffs being uncertain, Yee insisted that the Tigers need to brace for every possible scenario — including a win-or-go-home Game Three.
Though having homecourt advantage, the Tigers lost at home in Game One, 72-74, before bouncing back in the Steel’s home turf, 81-76.
“Walang nakakalamang eh. Kahit home court namin or nasa amin ‘yung momentum, kailangan namin pagtrabahuhan nang maigi para makuha namin ‘yung panalo.”
Story by Jonash Dannug
