DYLAN Ababou looks to make up for lost time as he once again assumes the role of a leader as he reunites with Pasig Chooks for the Huaqiao International Kunshan Challenger on Saturday.
"Magiging leader ako dun sa loob na di ko nagawa dahil di ako nakasama sa Qatar," said the former UAAP MVP.
Ababou missed the past two months after suffering a strained right calf in the fourth leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 League, missing the Grand Finals, the Asia Pacific Super Quest, and the 2019 Fiba 3x3 World Tour Doha Masters.
But with Pasig Chooks' reinforcements Nikola Pavlovic and Angelo Tsagarakis unavailable due to injuries, the former King Tiger is back for the President's Cup champions.
"Actually, masaya talaga ako dahil makakasama na ako ulit," the 32-year-old sniper said. "Focus ko lang eh makatulong sa team, paano kami maglalaro ng smarter. Kumbaga focus ko kung paano kami magiging in one page."
Pasig Chooks plays in Group A, where it will take on Russian club Sosnovy BorCopRosatom at 5:55 p.m., before taking on world no. 3 Liman of Serbia at 7:40 p.m.
Only the top two teams will advance to the knockout playoffs on Sunday.
As tough as the bracket is, Ababou has his full trust that his side, together with Joshua Munzon, Taylor Statham, and Troy Rike, can get things done.
"Alam na namin kung ano yung mga strengths and weaknesses nila so added factor yun," he said. "Pero syempre, kailangan namin mas maganda ang ipakita natin kaysa sa ipinakita sa Qatar kasi impprovement tayo lagi, learning tayo lagi. Kailangan pataas ng pataas, build up ng build up."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
