The sight of Raymond Almazan struggling to his feet, late in Meralco’s 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal versus the Alaska Aces, was bad news for the Bolts on Sunday.
The 6-foot-8 slotman got hurt with 4:57 remaining in the game right after his dunk. He sat on the floor stretching his left leg, before his teammates aided him towards the bench.
“Pagbagsak ko, pagka-dunk ko, natapakan ko yata si Franko House,” recalled Almazan.
Almazan did not return to the match, though, finishing with eight points, three rebounds, and a block in 26 minutes. But he remained with the team and saw Meralco beat the Aces, 94-84.
The six-year pro admitted that he felt fear the moment he fell down, since it brought back memories of the calf injury he incurred during his days with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
“May previous injury ako na calf eh, so alam ko na ‘yung pakiramdam,” said Almazan. “Parang papunta siya dun kanina, kaya hind ko siya nilakad. Dun na tayo sa safety tayo.
“‘Di naman ganun kasakit. Talagang takot lang ako talaga ma-injury ng calf kasi matagal iyan eh.”
Almazan said that he will have his calf checked on Monday. He hopes that nothing is serious, though, especially with the Bolts bound for the semifinals following their conquest of the Aces.
“Titignan kung mayroon napunit, sana wala naman. Alam ko parang wala naman eh, ayoko lang ulit mangyari ‘yun. Natatakot na ako,” said the former Letran Knights star.
“Medyo naiiyak ako kanina kasi parang ‘wag naman ngayon, ‘wag naman ngayon kasi maganda yung nilalaro ko, maganda ‘yung nilalaro ng team, At saka ‘yung mindset ko every game, stay healthy.”
