Earlier reports had already suggested that Michael Calisaan would not be able to return to the Che’lu-San Sebastian Revellers following the elbow injury he had incurred on his birthday during a game against the Zark’s-Lyceum Jawbreakers.
But in Game Two of the Revellers’ 2018 D-League Aspirant’s Cup semifinal series with the Akari-Adamson Soaring Falcons, Thursday afternoon at the Ynares Arena in Pasig, the six-foot-four power forward surprisingly showed up in his uniform.
Calisaan has returned after a lengthy three-game absence. He played for over 14 minutes and collected 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting and four steals.
Those numbers are impressive enough for a returnee, but what made it even more remarkable is that he helped the Revellers take down the Falcons, 93-90, to book the first ticket to the conference’s championship round.
“Ako kasi gusto ko maglaro eh,” said the 23-year-old of his comeback. “Wala naman ng pain, wala na ‘kong nararamdaman. So sabi ko sa kanila, ‘coach, always ready lang po ako.’
“Gusto ko pong manalo.’ Ganon.”
Asked regarding his health, Calisaan assessed that he’s around 90 percent to recovery, insisting that he does not feel any pain in his elbow anymore — though his left elbow still had Kinesia tape on it after the match.
“Wala na siyang sakit eh, pero nasa utak na lang. Parang naiilang lang [ako gumalaw]. Mga ninety percent,” said Calisaan.
“‘Pag nasa loob na ‘ko ng court, ‘pag naglalaro na ‘ko, wala na ‘kong nararamdaman eh.”
Che’lu now await for the winner between Zark’s-Lyceum and the Marinerong Pilipino Skippers for their Finals opponent. Calisaan has no preferences for who he wants to face, asserting that their focus is simply on winning the crown.
“Kahit sino basta kami nandito na kami, safe na kami. Magtutulong-tulong kami para makuha namin yung goal namin, which is mag-champion.”
