It has been a long while since the last time Russel Escoto was seen on a basketball court.
Like what happened to fellow FEU Tamaraw Mac Belo, Escoto wasn’t able to enjoy his rookie year in the pros, no thanks to an ACL tear — the second time in his career — he sustained back in January 27, 2017, during the then-Mahindra Floodbuster’s match with NLEX Road Warriors.
That freak accident abruptly ended his first PBA campaign.
But nearly a year after that unfortunate event, and after all the treatment and rehabilitation he has done to his left knee, the 25-year-old couldn’t wait to get back on the court and suit up for the Picanto this 2018 Philippine Cup.
“January, mga third or fourth week babalik na ko,” a fully recovered Escoto told Tiebreaker Times.
What makes the Kapampangan pressed to return is his eagerness to help Kia in the all-Filipino tilt. The Picanto are now at the bottom of the standings yet again with a 0-2 card and had fallen to their 14th straight loss — a skid that traces back from the 2017 Governor’s Cup.
“Ang sakit sa mata,” quipped the six-foot-six stretch forward in jest of the often-scrutinized franchise’s misfortunes this early in the season.
“Wala tayong magawa eh. Pero trust the process lang.
“Nandiyan naman yung mga coaches eh. Sunod lang sa sistema ni coach,” the two-time PBA D-League champion added. “Sana, kung ano man yung mga nalalaman ko — medyo marami naman yung natutunan ko — eh maipasok ko pagbalik ko sa Kia.”
But aside from reporting back for duty to his mother team, the one-time UAAP gold medalist is also looking forward to return to Gilas Pilipinas, seemingly keen on making up for lost time with the Nationals after missing possible stints with them back in 2017.
“Nakausap ko naman sila (Gilas), sabi nila ‘pag okay na ‘ko, balik na raw ako, practice na ulit sa kanila.
“Siguro mga second week, third week ng January, ‘pag meron silang practice,” said Escoto, a member of the Gilas Cadets team that won the 2015 SEABA Championship.
Escoto’s looming return to working out with Gilas — after being reduced to a mere spectator at practices for months — couldn’t be more timely, especially now that the flagbearers are preparing for the multiple windows of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers this year.
