AARON Aban was ready to hang his sneakers for good.
After all, it's been two years since he last tied those shoelaces and played for GlobalPort in the PBA.
He has settled in Bukidnon with his family, until an unexpected call from an old friend led to him dusting off his shoes anew.
"Nasa Bukidnon na ako eh. Pinaluwas niya ako," he said of that call from former TNT teammate Jimmy Alapag, who wanted him to provide veteran smarts for San Miguel Alab Pilipinas this upcoming ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) season.
"Di ko inasahan na tatawag si coach Jimmy. Sabi niya gusto niya akong maki-practice sa Alab."
It didn't take long before Aban was back on the hard court, and once again getting his sweats out for Alab.
"Sabi ko, 'Sige lang, papakundisyon ako dito,'" he said, waxing nostalgic as he marks his on-court comeback for the Philippine-based club. "It's been two years na hindi ako nakapaglaro. Nakaka-miss din pero masarap sa pakiramdam. Kasama ko pa ulit si Jimmy."
Although it's a reunion of sorts for Aban and Alapag, a lot has already changed for the former teammates who won four championships together with the Talk 'N Text franchise.
For one, Alapag is no longer a teammate for Aban, but rather, his coach.
"Dati kasama ko lang siyang maglaro. Ngayon, coach ko na siya," the hard-nosed 6-foot-3 winger said with a smile.
But as different as their status now, Aban feels that it's a huge edge for him that he knows Alapag all too well - one which could help this revamped Alab side in its quest to reclaim the title it lost last season.
"Yung samahan namin, nandoon na. Kilala ko siya at yung system dito, parang yung dati din noong naglalaro kami," he said, with the 37-year-old wholeheartedly accepting his role as this team's elder statesman.
"Masaya naman ako na nakikinig naman sila sa akin."
The young guns also appreciate Aban's role as they make their final preparations for the ABL season.
"Si kuya Aaron, iniidolo ko dati yan eh. Pero lagi kong naririnig sa kanya, lagi lang positive at mag-tiyaga ka lang," said Andrei Caracut.
"Binibigay niya sa akin yung wisdom niya dahil ang dami din niya na napanalunan na championship," shared Louie Vigil. "Lagi ko siyang tinatanong sa dos and don'ts, yung mga dapat gawin para tumagal sa liga."
"Everyday naman, lagi kaming nag-uusap. It's not just for me, but everyone na binibigyan niya ng tips and advice. Ngayon pa lang, binibigyan na niya kami ng tips at malaking bagay yun sa amin on and off the court. Masaya kami kasi may kasama pa rin kaming beterano, parang sa San Miguel din."
And it just adds to Aban's optimism in his comeback.
"Bago pa lang kami, pero so far, maganda ang samahan dito," he said. "Marami akong positive things na nakikita, and although kulang pa kami, kita mo yung team na nagi-improve."
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