SAN Sebastian star Allyn Bulanadi wasn't supposed to suit up yet, but the Stags did so well in the opener and gave him a chance to join in the fun.
The Golden Stags trampled on Jose Rizal University Bombers on Tuesday, and Bulanadi, initially ruled out for the season-opener as he wraps up his recovery from a dislocated left shoulder managed to persuade coach Egay Macaraya to send him in.
“Nung medyo malaki na yung lamang, nakaupo lang ako sa bench tapos tumingin ako kay coach Egay. Alam mo yung ngiting pusa?" he shared with a sly smile.
"Sabi ni coach sa akin, 'Bakit ang sama ng tingin mo sa kin? Pumasok ka na nga!' Kaya ayun, nakalaro ako," the 6-foot-2 winger said.
Macaraya said that he just indulged to Bulanadi's pleas.
"I don't want na madaliin siya. I want him to finish all the rehab, pero gusto niya na talaga makapaglaro eh," said the soft-spoken mentor.
Bulanadi made the most of his two-minute stint, firing seven points and one steal in San Sebastian's dominant 82-51 rout of JRU in the NCAA Season 95 seniors basketball tournament.
His party, however, wouldn't last long as Macaraya pulled him out in the final minute when Heavy Bombers' Agem Miranda bumped him on a rebound play.
"Two minutes nga lang eh. Nung sumubok kasi ako mag-rebound, bumangga ako kay Miranda, nakita ko yung takot sa mukha ni coach kaya agad-agad nilabas niya ako. Bitin nga eh," he said.
Short as his minutes were against JRU, Bulanadi said that he'll be back to 100-percent for San Sebastian's game against Mapua on Tuesday.
"Ok na naman. Ready na naman ito. Babalik na ako sa game namin sa Mapua," he said.
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