BELIEVE it or not, Chris Ross played through pain starting from the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals all the way to the best-of-seven title series against Magnolia.
And Wednesday night he was ready to suit up when San Miguel made its Commissioner’s Cup debut had the veteran guard been given the go-signal by doctors despite still rehabilitating from a tear on his shoulder and a torn meniscus on his knee.
“If it was a playoff game today, I could have played. But the doctors wanted me to rest, and the coaches advised me to rest. So we’ll see how it feels going forward,” said Ross, who was in street clothes in the Beermen’s 121-88 loss to NorthPort on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ross said he tore his meniscus during the final minute of Game 5 of the semis against Phoenix, and then tore something on his shoulder in the deciding Game 7 of the finals against the Hotshots.
Currently, he’s undergoing rehab and therapy for both injuries.
Ross was supposed to undergo surgery, but doing so meant missing at least the entire elimination round of the mid-season tournament.
“I figured that I can do it after this conference,” he said.
For the meantime, Ross is trying to heal the injury on his own, much like a popular comic book character that possesses a powerful regenerative ability or healing factor.
“But I told the guys to call me Logan, you know, Wolverine. I’m good to go,” said the two-time Defensive Player of the Year by the PBA Press Corps.
The 33-point blowout against the Batang Pier to kick off its campaign for a second straight title this season, gives Ross all the more reason to play.
“I was hoping we could have a better showing and I would rest a little longer. But we’ll still talk to the coaches and doctors and see if I would be ready to play,” he said.
Ross has been practicing with the Beermen since returning from their successful fifth straight Philippine Cup title three weeks ago, but sat out training the last two days.
Asked if both injuries are causing him pain, the 34-year-old Ross had yes for an answer.
But he can tolerate it.
“I’m a warrior. I can fight through the pain. As long as I’m not fresh out of surgery, or something that won’t keep me out, I would play,” he said.
Remember, he wants the guys to call him Logan.
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