IT'S one challenging season for sophomore Luis Villegas after undergoing another ACL surgery for the second straight year.
With this setback, Villegas expressed his gratitude to Rain or Shine managemnt and its entire organization for staying with him and being patient in these most trying times.
“Just recovering (now), and just grateful for management and for the Rain or Shine company that they still trust me and they’re still with me throughout this recovery,” he told SPIN.ph.
READ Luis Villegas out for rest of PBA Season 49
The No. 3 overall pick in the Season 48 draft recently underwent reconstructive surgery on the same knee that was operated on before he turned pro.
Villegas showed up for Rain or Shine’s final game for 2024 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup against Terrafirma in a walking booth, just a week after the operation.
He said the booth can be taken off, but he's keeping it on as a precautionary measure.
“I’ve already been walking so everything is looking good,” said the one-time UAAP Mythical Team member out of University of the East.
Villegas is one of two key Rain or Shine players on the injured list, the other being guard Gian Mamuyac who is recovering from a fractured hand.
But while the 25-year-old Mamuyac can be reactivated by late January or February, Villegas’ case is long term.
Long layoff
“It would be like about eight to 10 months,” he said.
“Hopefully sooner," he said, adding that he's getting stronger. "We’re expecting a quicker (recovery).”
He seemed to have recovered fully from his initial ACL operation when the 6-foot-8 center suited up for the Elasto Painters in the season-opening Governors’ Cup.
But he felt pain in the same knee from time to time that the team decided to have him examined again. Doctors then recommended he undergoes reconstructive surgery.
“Every day we’re just working on getting better, strengthening up, and just still being connected with the team,” said Villegas.
But as Rain or Shine awaits the recovery of its prized big, the team is also going great guns in its campaign, finishing the year by winning four straight games for solo second place in the standings heading to the new year.
And that’s one scenario that keeps Villegas positive despite his current condition.
“Definitely, our chemistry is getting better, we’re getting stronger, we’re picking up on better tendencies, and our overall chemistry is getting a lot closer,” he said.
Get well this new year, Luis.
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