CONVERGE is not in a hurry to re-activate Jordan Heading, but is keeping its fingers crossed his return would be as soon as possible in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Coach Franco Atienza said the rookie shooting guard continues to recover from the back spasm he suffered during the quarterfinals series against Rain or Shine last conference.
The FiberXers are not putting a specific time for his comeback, although his absence is truly a major factor for the team’s campaign in the season-ending conference.
“It’s a bad case of spasm. On and off,” said Atienza. “Yung timeline lang is day to day. Siyempre, ayaw din namin mabigla. We’re on the safe side.”
As it is, the 29-year-old Fil-Australian sat out Converge's conference debut against defending champion Meralco.
Wearing a cap and in street clothes, he watched haplessly on the sidelines as the Bolts rallied their way back from a 20-point deficit to nip the FiberXers, 91-89, on a game-winner by Chris Newsome.
READ: Newsome's last-gasp jumper completes Meralco comeback vs Converge
Heading had a couple of practices with Converge prior to the start of the All-Filipino, but went back to the sidelines when his back spasm began to act up.
He averaged 25.0 points per game in the last playoffs before being sidelined.
“Walang isang tao na makakapag-fill in. It’s a team effort para ma-fill yung shoes na na-vacate ni Jordan,” Atienza said in stressing the value Heading gives to the FiberXers.
The Converge coach, though, hopes Heading will be able to join the team a couple of games from now, with the second round of the eliminations as possible target date.
“Hopefully umiksi yung timeline niya (to recover). We’ll see,” said Atienza.
Converge will have three straight games before the Holy Week break starting on Sunday against Phoenix at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“Sunud-sunod agad yung laro namin, so siguro hindi pa siya makakalaro nun,” said Atienza. “Hopefully, by the second round (of eliminations).”
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