Rhenz Abando hopes to be fit for Gilas buildup
Published Jun 14, 2023 06:38 am
Even after a successful first year as a professional player that saw him win titles in the East Asia Super League and Korean Basketball League, the Gilas Pilipinas call-up actually came as a surprise for Rhenz Abando.
The high-flying forward admitted that he thought he would be spending the off-season of KBL for vacation and wasn’t really expecting to be part of the national team pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. “Nagulat ako kasi di ko rin inexpect na mapapasama ako dito,” said Abando after the team’s Monday practice at the Meralco Gym. “Wala rin ako masyadong galaw pa na mga training ganun kasi akala ko bakasyon lang din ako nakakagulat din akala ko di ako mapapasama dito,” added the Letran standout. Joining Gilas Pilipinas was so far in Abando’s mind that he also admitted that he was out of shape when the opportunity to serve the flag and country came calling. Abando was even rehabbing a shoulder injury he sustained during the Finals of KBL. “Nagrerehab ako ngayon kasi may shoulder injury ako. Naipipraktis ko naman kasi nararamdaman ko yung sakit,” he admitted adding that there’ll be no one to blame but himself if he happened to miss the great opportunity “Nagpabaya ako sa sarili ko so kung anong mangyari dito, di ako mapasama, lahat ng sisi sa sarili ko kasi di ako naging ready,” he added. Although ready to put in the work to regain his top form, Abando said it was a lesson learned for him and to be prepared for any eventuality next time. “Dapat ready ka lang lagi kasi di mo alam anong mangyayari bukas dapat ready ka, to be honest ngayon di ako ready kasi out of shape ako, naghahabol ako sa sarili ko.”
*The Gilas Pilipinas call-up came as a surprise for high-flying forward Rhenz Abando (FIBA Photo)
*The high-flying forward admitted that he thought he would be spending the off-season of KBL for vacation and wasn’t really expecting to be part of the national team pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. “Nagulat ako kasi di ko rin inexpect na mapapasama ako dito,” said Abando after the team’s Monday practice at the Meralco Gym. “Wala rin ako masyadong galaw pa na mga training ganun kasi akala ko bakasyon lang din ako nakakagulat din akala ko di ako mapapasama dito,” added the Letran standout. Joining Gilas Pilipinas was so far in Abando’s mind that he also admitted that he was out of shape when the opportunity to serve the flag and country came calling. Abando was even rehabbing a shoulder injury he sustained during the Finals of KBL. “Nagrerehab ako ngayon kasi may shoulder injury ako. Naipipraktis ko naman kasi nararamdaman ko yung sakit,” he admitted adding that there’ll be no one to blame but himself if he happened to miss the great opportunity “Nagpabaya ako sa sarili ko so kung anong mangyari dito, di ako mapasama, lahat ng sisi sa sarili ko kasi di ako naging ready,” he added. Although ready to put in the work to regain his top form, Abando said it was a lesson learned for him and to be prepared for any eventuality next time. “Dapat ready ka lang lagi kasi di mo alam anong mangyayari bukas dapat ready ka, to be honest ngayon di ako ready kasi out of shape ako, naghahabol ako sa sarili ko.”