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    Future looks clearer as Joseph Gabayni wears old-school goggles

    Teammates used to get mad at Gabayni for failing to catch passes. Not anymore
    Jun 17, 2022
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    ANTIPOLO – Joseph Gabayni wore goggles during Terrafirma’s game against Phoenix Super LPG on the suggestion of Terrafirma management to aid his eyesight and hopefully led to better performance during games.

    The former Lyceum big man admitted his teammates get mad at him when he fails to catch passes due to his poor eyesight.

    “Medyo nagkaka-problema na ako sa eyesight ko,” said Gabayni, who has astigmatism and has a 200 and 175 grade in his right and left eye respectively. "Nagagalit sila, may mga ibang pasa na hindi ko masalo.

    [See Phoenix vents ire on hapless Terrafirma]

    “Napansin din ng mga coaches at bosses namin sa Terrafirma. Sabi nila sa akin, 'Ayusin mo ‘yan, mag-invest ka sa sarili mo, mga kailangan mo.' Sabi nila, 'Pagawa daw ako contact lens.'”

    Originally, Gabayni said the plan was to wear contact lenses, but the new contact lenses didn’t make it in time for the game. So the Terrafirma physical therapist suggested that he wear goggles like those worn in the past by Marlou Aquino.

    “Two days ago, nagpunta ako sa Quiapo, papagawa ako ng contact lens. Nagkataon na 10 working days daw ‘yung contact lens. Sabi ko kailangan ko ‘to eh. Kinakausap ko ‘yung PT namin, sabi niya, ‘Men, mag-goggles ka, balik mo yung dati, old school.’

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      “Nung una ayaw ko, sabi ko wala na nag-gaganun ngayon eh. Lahat contact lens, papaayos nila mata nila, ibabalik sa 20-20. [Pero] sabi ko sige maiba lang. Try natin kung magiging effective,” said Gabayni.

      Gabayni finished with 16 points and nine rebounds in what was easily one of the best games of the 6-foot-5's PBA career. More importantly, the 27-year old only committed one turnover in Terrafirma's 97-74 to Phoenix.

      “’Yun ang kinalabasan. Umayos ‘yung game natin, medyo nakikita natin, gumaganda yung takbo natin sa loob ng court. Struggle lang kasi may mga vision na hindi ko nakikita, konti pa.

      Hindi pa ako sanay sa goggles. Three days ko palang siya ginagamit. Siguro sa next game mas maganda pa.”

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      “Ngayon lang ako nag-goggles. College, contact lens, provided ng school. Kahit papano may salary tayo, kailangan mag-invest kagaya ng sabi ng mga boss. Career mo ‘yan eh. Kung di mo gagawin ‘yun, masasira laro mo,” said Gabayni.

      Gabayni said he plans to wear the goggles again in the next game.

      "Kanina halos lahat ng pasa nasasalo ko ng maganda," he said. “Oo kasi ganda ang nilalaro natin. Sana magtuloy -tuloy. Sana mas maganda laruin natin next game."

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