Rhenz Abando is sick. He is filthy. He is nasty.
Of course, all those negative-sounding adjectives mean that the high-flying Filipino is freakishly athletic and a really good basketball player.
On Sunday, Abando’s on-court savagery was again on full display, as his squad, the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters, faced the Changwon LG Sakers in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
The pride of Santo Tomas, La Union went beast mode in the third quarter and unleashed a series of moves that left the LG Sakers defenders in shambles.
Check out the crossover, the blow-by, and the soaring slam over a helpless shot-blocker.
You’ve seen Abando throw it down with force. You’ve seen him glide in the air with grace and elegance. Man, he even dunks over his teammate. But perhaps his latest rim-rattler is his best work yet.
Even Japan B.League import Thirdy Ravena was blown away by the former NCAA MVP’s newest hit. He also used a negative-sounding adjective to describe his Gilas Pilipinas teammate’s bag.
“Hayup ka,” Ravena wrote on his Instagram Story.
More importantly, Abando's game is filled with substance as it is with style. In Anyang’s 85-71 victory over Changwon, he led the way with 18 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.
He can fly and he really knows how to play. That’s Air Abando for you.
The Filipino KBL star will take his high-wire act on the road this Tuesday as the Red Boosters, who improved to 6-3, take on the Seoul Samsung Thunders.
(PM)