CHICAGO -- Like making ice in the freezer or waiting for cement to harden after applying it, some things just can't be rushed.
A back injury, which is fickle in nature, is one of those things that takes its own sweet time before arriving at a desirable conclusion.
After his trade from Converge to TNT for the signing rights of Mikey Williams was officially approved by the league last June 2, Jordan Heading told me that it could take up to "one month" before he resumes playing.
Surprisingly, the Fil-Aussie made his TNT debut on Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium where the Tropang 5G got decimated by Ginebra in a wire-to-wire 97-78 defeat.
Heading, who has switched from jersey No. 3 to No. 15 in honor of the great Vince Carter, was leaking rust particles all over the arena floor, shedding three turnovers in 16 minutes of action.
EXPRESS RETURN.
"Obviously wasn't the result we wanted but felt great to be back out there," he conceded.
Heading politely declined to rate his 10-point, 3-assist performance because "that's not what I'm focused on."
The 3-point sniper and playmaker's expedited return to playing wasn't a marvel of modern medicine, it was simply a function of need for the point guard-challenged Tropang 5G whose grand slam bid is about to go on overdrive.
"They had me cleared by their doctors and my body has been feeling great," he told me via text messaged on Monday night.
Asked if he was 100 percent, Heading revealed he's on a minutes restriction "as we keep an eye on things" and that "the playoffs is most important so we're trying to get my form and rhythm back in time for that."
Immersing himself in a completely alien environment is another tall task. Unfortunately, that, too, can't be done through overnight delivery by a courier service.
RACE AGAINST TIME.
"Can't really give an amount of time that it will take. It's a day-by-day process of not only learning his (coach Chot Reyes) system but learning to play with these guys, understanding what role each guy plays, and what their strengths are."
Against the Kings, it was clear that rebounding isn't TNT's strength as they got pounded off the boards, 48-32. A stagnant offense which produced just 16 assists against Ginebra's 28.
But the fact that Heading is suited up and ready to go offers a glimmer of hope that an injury-ravaged Philippine Cup conference that started at 0-3 can still be salvaged, And what a redemption story that will be.
"Now I just keep on building on where I'm at and sustaining the workload," Heading said.
TNT, now 6-4, has a June 13 date versus reeling Magnolia (7-3) before the playoffs begin five days later.
What's unknown is if Heading will be fully healthy by then. If not, TNT's triple crown ambition might not have a back to lean on.
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