LAPU-LAPU CITY — Rhenz Abando hopes to be fit enough to play when Anyang JKJ faces Seoul SK in the East Asia Super League (EASL) Final Four on Friday.
The 25-year-old winger admitted that he’s doubtful for the all-Korean semifinal affair after aggravating his back injury during his first game back against Goyang Sono in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) just last Sunday.
“Nung naglaro ako ng Sono game namin, wala namang naramdaman until nung sinabayan ulit ako, bumagsak ako,” he said shortly after the EASL Final Four presser at the Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, Thursday.
“Pumalo ako sa ano. ‘Yun ‘yung iniinda ko ngayon. Sakit ulit nung likod ko,” added the former Letran Knight, who missed 18 games due to the injury.
Abando actually had a solid comeback, finishing with 17 points, four rebounds, four steals, and three assists in their 92-87 win.
But he only returned to practice on Thursday – a day before the Final Four commences at the Hoops Dome here – due to his condition.
Given his status, fears of the Anyang-Seoul game not featuring any Filipino player have floated.
The Knights will miss the services of Juan Gomez de Liaño as the lefty guard underwent a season-ending surgery on his finger.
But then, Abando will see if he’d be able to see action as he hopes to help the Red Boosters, which won the EASL Champions Week last year.
“Ang tagal kong hindi nakapaglaro pero gusto lang talaga namin manalo, so pipilitin naming manalo kahit sobrang hirap,” he said.
