Rhenz Abando is back after recovering from a spinal injury, but the high-flying guard is still on the path to true 100 percent.
Anyang’s KBL title defense may be on borrowed time, but the Red Boosters’ quest for back-to-back East Asia Super League championships is still a go.
And the return of Rhenz Abando should give them a big boost.
The high-flying Pinoy guard returned to the Anyang lineup Sunday, leading the team to victory over the Goyang Sono Skygunners in the KBL.
[Related: KBL: Rhenz Abando returns with a bang in Anyang victory]
Rhenz’ return in KBL play means he’s also active for the Red Boosters when they see action in the Final Four of the EASL, set for March 7-10 at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu.
Anyang takes on KBL rival Seoul SK Knights in the semifinals, a rematch of last year’s KBL and EASL Finals.
“It is currently at 85-90 percent,” Abando said, with regard to his physical condition, via the EASL.
“It’s hard to talk about the 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,” he added.
Abando has been out since late December last year, suffering a spinal injury after a bad fall against the Skygunners.
He missed 18 games, and Anyang’s already troublesome title defense suffered a free fall. The Red Boosters went 3-15 in the stretch Abando was out, incuding a 10-game skid entering Sunday’s game.
“I am happy that I was able to win on my comeback match,” Abando said.
“The team still has some room to improve, but I am happy that we won,” he added.