Raymond Almazan has returned to action on Monday, rejoining the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters earlier in the day and Gilas Pilipinas’ preparations for the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers’ sixth window the evening later.
“Timing. First practice ko this Monday pati sa mother team ko. Yun, timing. Yung hangin feeling ko di nawala eh pero yung timing — medyo naiilang lang siguro ako,” said the 6-foot-8 big man moments after Gilas’ practice at the Meralco Gym in Pasig.
“Pero makukuha ko yan within this week or next week,” he added.
Almazan sustained the injury just days before the Elasto Painters’ PBA season debut last January 18 versus the NLEX Road Warriors, as he accidentally stepped on teammate Norbert Torres’s foot during one of their practices.
But Almazan said that his ankle is all fine now, and he has already been given the go signal by the doctors to suit up for Rain or Shine anytime soon.
So there is a possibility that Almazan will see action for the Elasto Painters this week, as they will face the Blackwater Elite on Wednesday and the reigning, four-time Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beermen on Friday.
“Okay naman. Medyo okay naman,” the six-year pro out of Letran said. “Binigyan na ‘ko ng go-signal ng doctor na pwede naman daw na.
“It depends na lang kay coach Caloy [Garcia] kung gagamitin niya ‘ko.”
