FOR Arellano, the offseason was less about finding the right pieces and more about keeping them healthy.
Injuries hampered the Chiefs’ preparations, none bigger than their star T-Mc Ongotan and highly-touted rookie Rey Ladica.
While Ongotan got back to fitness in time for the Chiefs' 98-72 win over the San Sebastian Stags, Ladica had to wait a little longer as he's still yet to fully heal from a minor MCL injury in his right knee after hurting it during practice last July.
READ: Arellano demolishes San Sebastian in promising NCAA S102 opener
“During practice, na-puwersa ako yung right ko na paa. Nawalan po ako ng lakas, na-overextend po yung right ko na paa,” Ladica, the 11th ranked NBTC high school player from last season, said.
“Mga ilang buwan din po ako na hindi naka-ensayo po. Medyo na-overextend lang din po. Parang nabugbog lang din po yung MCL.”
Ladica had already flashed his explosiveness in Arellano’s preseason games, giving the Chiefs another young weapon who could complement Ongotan once he is cleared to play.
But for now, the 6-foot-1 guard remains the final piece of Arellano’s injury puzzle as Manabat erred on the side of caution this time.
“Siguro siya nalang yung last na meron nararamdaman. So hindi pa namin binibigay ng go signal pero okay na siya. Nasa 99.9%, so 1% nalang siguro,” Manabat said.
And the Chiefs are not exactly treating their prized rookie like one.
“Malaking factor siya. Although, rookie siya, parang mama na siya. Nakita naman natin kung paano siya. All the stats, meron siya,” he added.
Still, Ladica knows there is no reason to rush what could be a long collegiate career.
“Huwag magmadali yun lang po. Mga ilang buwan lang din po ako nagpahinga, rehab lang din po. Kasi po, delikado po pag pinuwersa ko. Yun nga ‘pag pinilit ko po yung injury ko,” he said.
For now, Ladica can only watch, recover, and wait for that green light.
Because after months of rehab, the rookie is already more than ready to finally step onto the collegiate stage.
“Basta 100% excited po ako na makabalik na po ako sa season.”
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