OLU Ashaolu is heeding his doctor’s advice this time.
Playing with a ruptured patellar tendon for three games, the 30-year-old reinforcement finally decided to take a backseat and rest as Aaron Fuller takes over for NLEX.
For now, Ashaolu will undergo rehab and see if he recovers in time for the Governors' Cup playoffs.
“I’m still young, I’m only 30. I feel like my body will respond the right way,” said Ashaolu after the Road Warriors suffered a 102-72 drubbing at the hands of the Magnolia Hotshots.
“I’m just gonna have to follow the doctors, listen to the trainers, the rehab specialists and I just take it week by week and see how I am,” he added. “I put my trust in those guys, they’re the professionals.”
Ashaolu said that his treatment will start immediately, getting a platelet-rich plasma treatment on Thursday before resting and letting his knee heal.
From there, it’s a wait-and-see approach for the Nigerian-Canadian cager.
“Gonna get an injection tomorrow, PRP, blood taken out of my arm, put it back into my knee and I’m gonna let that settle for a week or so,” Ashaolu explained.
“Then I’ll slowly incorporate some different workouts and activities. It all depends on how quickly my knee bounces back and how good I feel.”
Despite the bad loss to the Hotshots, Ashaolu has already made a good impression in his debut in the Philippines, posting averages of 27 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists as the Road Warriors had a respectable 2-1 record in their hellish back-to-back-to-back schedule.
Despite being replaced, Ashaolu vows full support to Fuller who’s set to make his return to the Road Warriors on Wednesday against the winless Columbian Dyip.
“He was here last year, so he’s familiar with the team. I wish him nothing but success, he’s part of the team now,” said Ashaolu.
“I don’t look at him as an opponent, I don’t look at him as a rival. He’s a part of the team, and I hope they could continue to win without me. I wish him the best.”
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