FOR the love of the game.
Alex Cabagnot has yet to be given full clearance to play for San Miguel Beer, but politely defied the doctor’s order just for him to get back in action in the PBA Philippine Cup.
In very own words ‘matigas talaga ang ulo ko.’
“Gusto ko talagang maglaro. I want to play talaga,” he said after returning from a four-game absence on Wednesday in a 93-79 Beermen win over the Blackwater Elite at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“I want to play as much as I can. Na-miss ko rin, e.”
The veteran Fil-Am guard quickly made his presence to help the Beermen arrest a two-game losing streak and improve to an even 3-3 record.
Cabagnot finished with 19 points, including 12 in the second half when the defending champions pulled away for good. He was 8-of-15 from the floor including 3-of-4 from three-point range while adding five assists.
And to think he was supposed to return to active duty next week yet after undergoing procedure to repair his broken nose.
“Si doktora sabi niya arbor ko muna yung week na ito. Next week ka na,” he recalled of the doctor’s advice to him.
But Cabagnot got his doctor’s nod on the condition that he wears a protective mask.
Although he has gotten used to wearing a mask, there were times that he still gets uncomfortable, Cabagnot bared.
“Pero may ilang factor pa rin,” he said.
Cabagnot has at least three more extra masks at his disposal as he has no idea how long he will be wearing it, both in games and practices.
Still he doesn’t mind having it on his face as long as he can continue playing the game he loves most.
“Minsan natatakot din ako kapag walang (mask) kasi it was a tough procedure for me, so sabi ko mag-mask na lang ako for the remainder of may career na,” he said.
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