ED Daquioag on Thursday played for the first time in seven months after sustaining a gruesome injury. He only played for six minutes but he had a lot to be thankful for considering how serious the injury was.
“I feel great, excited,” said Daquioag after his first game where Terrafirma lost, 130-115, to Converge. “Hindi ito ‘yung result na gusto namin pero I feel great at thankful kay God na binigyan pa niya uli ako ng opportunity.”
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Daquioag’s appearance was the cap to a long recovery period for the 31-year-old guard. The former University of Santo Tomas cager underwent surgery to repair a closed fibula fracture sustained during a game at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on June 11, 2022.
The viewers of that game saw Daquioag twisting his right foot after contesting a shot by Robert Bolick, but it was his knee that was severely affected by the impact.
Daquioag said the recovery was difficult, to say the least.
“Sobrang hirap ‘yun. One and a half months ako na nasa bahay lang, nakahiga. After that, kahit papano, may therapy na. Kailangan mag-heal ‘yung opera at ‘yung sugat niya. ‘Yung therapy, pahirapan din kasi nakasaklay.”
Daquioag started working out three months after the injury, and he was very thankful that he was able to overcome that phase of his recovery when the pain was severe even with the slightest movement.
“Sobrang pinagpapasalamatan ko ‘yung kasi ‘yung phase na ‘yun ‘yung sobrang hirap. Hindi ako makatayo nung time na ‘yun. Konting ano lang noon, sobrang sakit,” said Daquioag.
Daquioag finally went to practice just this month, but had already been training before Christmas in order to strengthen his body. He felt pain at first during the initial stage, but through his hard work was able to get back to his usual movements.
Then came the game where Daquioag didn’t have any hesitations in his movements.
“May training na kami nung December bago mag-Christmas break. Nag-try na ako. How many weeks din ‘yun bago nag-training ng January 4. ‘Yung therapy ko, tuloy tuloy naman. Walang dayoff. Sinasabihan ako ng PT ko na ‘yung pain kailangan maramdaman mo na ngayon. Thankful din ako sa therapist ko,” said Daquioag.
“Sabi ng doktor ko, cleared na ako. ‘Yung buto naman na nabali, totally buo na. Kita naman sa X-ray. Tiwala lang ako sa doktor ko at kay God kasi Siya naman ang nakakaalam,” said Daquioag.
Even with the long time on the sidelines, Daquioag was still given a contract extension by Terrafirma and he is very thankful.
“Sobrang blessed ako. Thankful ako kila Boss Bobby (Rosales), Boss Ronald (Tubid), at Boss Marvin (Espiritu). I know mahirap ‘yung nangyari but still, ‘yung tiwala nila sa akin, nandoon pa rin. Nire-sign nila ako. Sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila,” said Daquioag.