Rhenz Abando was caught in a series of unfortunate events over the past couple of months.
Prior to his Filbasket stint with San Juan, the 22-year-old high flyer out of Letran got so banged up during a practice session that he was sent straight to the hospital right after.
It was later found out after a second opinion that Abando, who was then experiencing unbearable pain in his head, has a subdural hematoma which is a buildup of blood on the surface of the brain.
“Before Filbasket, parang nabagsakan yung ulo ko.
“Dalawang beses ako tinamaan e, yung una parang tinamaan ako ng bola sa likod ng ulo tapos nung scrimmage na nabagsakan ako,” recalled Abando.
“Nung scrimmage na nabagsakan ako tapos nararamdaman ko siya, sumasakit na. Pinilit ko lang siya nung scrimmage tapos every bangga, parang doon na siya na-trigger hanggang sa ‘di ko na kinaya yung sakit,” he added, reiterating that it was all just an accident.
Then, four days before San Juan-Go for Gold AICC’s debut in the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational powered by TM, Abando was once again hit by the injury bug.
This caused him to miss the Knights’ 97-74 drubbing of Valenzuela last Saturday.
“Bago naman mag MPBL may tuneup kami then four days before natapilok ako,” shared Abando.
The effects were pretty evident as Abando, who made his debut on Tuesday night against Sarangani, struggled on the offensive end, finishing with 10 points — all from the charity stripe — to go along with five boards and four blocks.
Still, he expressed his gratitude to head coach Randy Alcantara and the rest of the San Juan-Go for Gold AICC staff for easing him back into action.
“Thankful ako kila coach kasi kahit nagka injury ako sinama pa rin nila ako and ginuide nila ako, dinahandahan nila ako i-ready,” expressed Abando.
“Okay naman na ako, naka-recover na ako pero yung kagaya ng kundisyon ko dati, yung katawan ko parang ang daming nakapansin na sobrang namayat daw ako. Pero thankful ako kasi inuunti unti ako nila coach, nireready nila ako.”
