MIKOFF Manduriao is on a high as he celebrates earning a gold medal with the soft tennis squad that won the men’s team event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
It was a huge achievement for the 31-year-old Manduriao, who only a few months ago could not even step on the court to train.
Manduriao suffered a disc bulge on his back last year, fluids of which reached his spine that was so bad that he was in danger of being paralyzed. Surgery to remove the fluids last year was successful, although recovery took six months.
“Nagkaroon ako ng disc bulge sa likod,” said Manduriao. “Sa spine ko lumabas ‘yung tubig niya. Kailangan ko magpa-opera. Sabi ng doctor, baka puwedeng sobra sa laro o puwedeng sobra sa pag-stretch sa payuko yulo. Ilang buwan din ako nag-stop ng training.”
Manduriao added: “Nakakalakad ako pero hindi maayos na lakad. Nakatip-toe ako ng konti sa sobrang sakit. Pinagbawalan ako na maglaro dahil may tendency siya na ‘yung disc ko, lalong lumaki o mas matanggal ‘yung disc.”
“Worst na mangyari, kapag natanggal ‘yung disc ko maging paralyze ‘yung half ng right ng paa ko. Hindi na ako puwedeng makapaglaro kahit kailan,” said Manduriao.
Being able to rejoin the national team was already a huge achievement, and he is mighty pleased to contribute to the win.
He teamed up with Dheo Talatayod to beat the Thai pair of Sujaritplee Teerapat and Songweera Torlarp, 5-3, in the do-or-die second doubles match.
“Last year lang ako na-operahan. Naka-recover ako ng mabilis dahil na rin sa motivation ng mga coaches ko. Nakapag-training ako uli. Pahinga at after ng ilang months, nag-try ako mag-bike ng dahan dahan para bumalik ‘yung movement ng paa,” said Manduriao.
Manduriao said fighting his back injury and his work for his full recovery was all worth it.
“Sobrang saya dahil kahit may injury ako, nilaban ko ‘yung kung anong meron ako sa likod ko. Sa laban namin, hindi lang para sa amin, para sa bansa namin. Sa mga nagtiwala sa amin, para rin sa kanila,” said Manduriao.
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