Alex Cabagnot was present and in practice gear at the commencement of the San Miguel Beermen’s preparations for the new PBA season on Wednesday. But he did not take part in the drills with his teammates.
The 36-year-old combo guard recently underwent to surgery to fix the damage, which he incurred about back in December 28, 2016.
“It’s like a freshly broken nose.
“It’s freshly re-fixed from before. The procedure took longer than expected kasi it has been three years since it happened, so there’s a calcium buildup and a bone has formed in that deviated way,” he said.
Cabagnot shared that he had actually wanted to have it repaired at an earlier date. But his commitments with the UP Fighting Maroons back in UAAP Season 81, and with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers stalled his plans.
“I was supposed to do it right after the season but I had to put everything on hold,” said the 6-foot gunslinger.
Given his condition, it is still uncertain if Cabagnot will see action in the 2019 Philippine Cup opening on January 13, where he and the Beermen are looking to win their unprecedented fifth straight championship.
“I have to get clearance still from the surgeon. Every two weeks they have to see if it’s healing correctly. They have to observe it. But I have to wear a mask for the first three months and we’re just gonna go from there,” the multi-tasking cager shared.
“Hopefully, I can expedite the healing process, God-willing.”
But should he miss games, the Beermen seem ready for it – especially now, with their acquisition of guards Paul Zamar and Terrence Romeo, whom they both got in separate deals just days after the 2018 Rookie Draft last December.
Cabagnot is already familiar with Romeo, as they shared a brief time together with the GlobalPort Batang Pier in 2014.
“One thing good with Terrence is his work ethic. That’s one thing that I can say is really second to none, how he approaches the game and how he prepares himself for the games,” remarked Cabagnot, now a 14-year veteran.
“Yung skills niya talaga, he always, no matter what’s going on, one thing’s for sure, two things for certain, he continuously works on his game. That’s always a good thing. I’ve been teammates with him and Stanley,” he added.
“And just with that talent alone… A sign of a great player is how he adjusts, how he adapts. And I think he has the adaptability to do it with us and still do his brand of game.”
