RHENZ Abando wasted no time making his presence felt, tallying 17 points, four boards, and three assists in Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters' 92-87 victory over Goyang Sono in the Korean Basketball League on Sunday.
The high-flying Pinoy import played 28 minutes in his first game back since suffering a lumbar fracture last December after a horror collision with former NBA player Chinanu Onuaku of Sono.
READ Abando believes horror collision with Onuaku an 'accident'
His return was witnessed by the Philippines’ Ambassador to Korea, H.E. Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, who were hosted by EASL along with other members of the Filipino community in Anyang.
Abando is expected to suit up as Anyang enters the Final Four of the EASL in Cebu City.
“I am happy that I was able to win on my comeback match. The team still has some room to improve, but I am happy that we won," said Abando, who was named Player of the Game.
Abando, however, revealed that he has yet to fully recover after the two months' rest.
“It is currently at 85-90 percent. It’s hard to talk about pain right now – there is pain when leaning over. I hope that after sleeping for a day, the pain will go away and I can play in the EASL.”
Ahead of the Sunday game, Onuaku went to Abando to apologize for what happened.
"He said 'I’m sorry … [said] It wasn’t intentional,’ and I responded that I had no personal feelings.”
Abando, who missed 18 games due to the injury, will join his Jung Kwan Jang teammates to Cebu, the Philippines, this week to play in the EASL Final Four on March 8-10.
Jung Kwan Jang faces Korean rivals Seoul SK Knights in the semifinals on March 8, in a game tipping off at 5 p.m.
This will be followed by Chiba Jets (Japan – B.LEAGUE) vs. New Taipei Kings (Chinese Taipei – P. LEAGUE+) in the second semifinal at 8 p.m.
The battle for third place and the championship game will be on Sunday, March 10, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.
Tickets for the Final Four are on sale now at www.TicketMAX.ph.
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